Diseases Caused by Pollutants and Tobacco Exposure

Abstract

Environmental pollution is an increasing and preventable risk factor for respiratory disease in children, especially in young infants, because they are exposed to a greater effective dose of pollutant and they are susceptible with their immature immune and respiratory systems. Atmospheric pollution has a big impact on the health of those who already have an underlying disease (asthma, cystic fibrosis) and in the most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and the malnourished. Indoor pollution is composed of solid combustibles or biomass combined with the infiltration of atmospheric contaminants to indoor environments and/or contamination caused by environmental tobacco smoke. It can exceed the atmospheric pollution in many countries in the world, and so it is the most important environmental risk factor. It is responsible for 5% of the global load of respiratory diseases and causes around 4.3 million early deaths. The WHO has declared that the global burden of morbidity caused by indoor and outdoor air pollution causes millions of premature deaths, which are associated with tobacco risks, and it currently represents one of the greatest sanitary risks around the globe. It has been estimated that around 13% of total world deaths are attributed to atmospheric and indoor pollution combined. The responsibility to overcome this situation lies in the implementation of efficient public policies based on the recommendations made by professionals and technical organizations. At the same time, the responsibility of health professionals is incommensurable at daily clinical practice.