The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality, and integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures, planning solutions, and technological innovations have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.
Abstract
Urban air pollution represents one of the most significant environmental health risks worldwide, particularly in rapidly developing urban areas. Epidemiological studies consistently link major air pollutants-including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)-with a range of adverse health outcomes. This study analyzes the health impacts of urban air pollution, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and evaluates current prevention and control strategies. The review synthesizes findings from 11 key peer-reviewed studies, including epidemiological analyses, systematic reviews, and policy evaluations, published between 1993 and 2024. The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality. Landmark cohort studies demonstrate a 6-15% increase in cardiovascular mortality per 10 μg/m³ rise in PM2.5 exposures. Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly susceptible to these effects. In addition, the synthesis of available evidence highlights that integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures (e.g., emission standards), urban planning solutions (e.g., green infrastructure, traffic management), and technological innovations (e.g., clean energy, emission control systems)-have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.
Background: Air pollution is a major environmental and public health concern resulting from industrial activities, transportation, and fossil fuel combustion. Increasing population growth and economic development contribute to higher emissions of pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. Exposure to these pollutants is associated with respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and impaired cognitive function, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of air filtration technologies in reducing exposure to air pollutants and mitigating associated health risks.
Methods: A literature review was conducted using journal articles, research reports, and secondary data from international and national health organizations. Relevant studies on air pollution and filtration technologies were systematically analyzed.
Results: The review indicated that both outdoor and indoor air pollution significantly affect public health. Air filtration technologies, including HEPA filters, electrostatic filtration systems, and optimized ventilation designs, reduced airborne pollutant concentrations by up to 90–95% in industrial and healthcare settings. Their effectiveness depends on appropriate design, maintenance, and operational practices.
Conclusion: Air filtration technology is an effective strategy for reducing pollution-related health risks. However, its successful implementation requires supportive policies, public awareness, and multisectoral collaboration to achieve sustainable environmental health outcomes.
Keywords: air pollution, air filtration technology, public health, pollutants, literature review
Ramadhan Tosepu, Inun Inun, Sitti Fadillah et al.· Journal of Epidemiology and...· 0 citations
Air pollution has become a major global challenge, imposing substantial health and economic burdens while threatening progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study investigates the impact of air pollution on healthcare expenditure using panel data from 95 countries over the period 2010-2020. Two complementary indicators of air pollution, emissions per unit area (EMS) and ambient PM2.5 concentration, are employed to distinguish pollution intensity from population exposure. Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models with robust standard errors are estimated to examine the direct effects of air pollution, while interaction models are used to assess the moderating roles of urbanization, industrialization, and national income levels. The results indicate that EMS significantly increases healthcare expenditure, whereas PM2.5 exhibits a counterintuitive negative association, suggesting that institutional capacity, preventive healthcare, and policy responses may influence the pollution-healthcare expenditure relationship. Urbanization mitigates the adverse effect of PM2.5, and heterogeneous impacts are observed across income groups. The findings contribute to the literature by integrating dual pollution indicators and crosscountry heterogeneity, providing evidence to support policies aimed at strengthening environmental governance, improving preventive healthcare systems, and advancing sustainable development.
Loan Thị Vũ, Trang Dinh, Thao Phuong Hoang et al.· VNU University of Economics...· 0 citations
Air pollution has emerged as one of the most consequential, yet historically under-examined, environmental health threats confronting the African continent. Rapid urbanisation, continued reliance on solid biomass fuels for domestic energy, expanding vehicle fleets composed largely of imported used vehicles, gas flaring, open waste burning, and seasonal Saharan dust intrusions combine to expose hundreds of millions of Africans to concentrations of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants that routinely exceed international health-based guidelines. This critical review synthesises evidence published over the past decade on the sources, distribution and health consequences of ambient and household air pollution across Africa, with particular attention to respiratory, cardiovascular, maternal, perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as the disproportionate burden borne by women, children and informal-sector workers. The review further considers the continent's air quality monitoring infrastructure, the substantial economic costs associated with pollution-related morbidity and mortality, and the fragmented policy and regulatory landscape that currently governs air quality across African states. Evidence indicates that household air pollution from solid fuel combustion remains the dominant exposure pathway for the majority of the population, while ambient pollution from transport, industry and waste burning is rising sharply in urban centres. Both exposure pathways are associated with substantial burdens of lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and premature mortality, with the heaviest toll falling on children under five years of age and on women engaged in domestic cooking. Air quality monitoring infrastructure remains sparse relative to other world regions, constraining both the precision of exposure assessment and the capacity of governments to design and enforce effective mitigation policy. The review concludes that integrated investment in clean energy transition, strengthened monitoring networks, and harmonised regional air quality governance represents an urgent and achievable public health priority for the continent.
Enokela Onum Shadrach, S. M. Bebelade· Journal of global ecology an...· 0 citations
IoT-based air quality monitoring technology has proven effective, accurate, and accessible, making it useful in preventing the impact of air pollution on public health.
Ni Ketut Susilawati, Nurghany, Tiara Wirdadinaka et al.· Journal of Epidemiology and...· 0 citations
This study comprehensively evaluates air pollution in Adana, one of Türkiye’s key industrial, urban, and transportation hubs. Using monitoring data from 2023–2025, the concentrations of major pollutants—PM2.5., PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3—were analyzed. The results were compared with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and Türkiye’s national regulations, showing that PM2.5 and PM10 thresholds were frequently exceeded at several stations. A significant finding was that data capture rates remained below 60%, indicating reliability gaps in the monitoring infrastructure and weakening evidence-based policymaking. Primary sources of pollution include coal-fired power plants, the use of low-quality fuels, open burning of agricultural residues, and vehicular emissions. These factors are aggravated by Adana’s geographic and meteorological conditions, such as temperature inversions and low wind speeds, which facilitate pollutant accumulation and increase public health risks. Statistical analyses revealed notable rises in SO2 and particulate matter concentrations during winter due to residential heating, coinciding with higher respiratory illness rates. The study recommends reducing coal dependency, expanding access to natural gas, promoting sustainable transportation, restricting agricultural waste burning, and improving data transparency. The Adana case highlights air pollution as both an environmental and social justice issue.
E. Turan· Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergi...· 0 citations
Air pollution is an increasingly consequential environmental health risk for young people in rapidly urbanizing areas. Yet respiratory risk is shaped not only by pollutant exposure but also by policy effectiveness, community support and individual protective behaviour. This study develops and tests a multilevel framework integrating air-pollution exposure, policy management and control, community action, youth protective awareness and respiratory health symptoms. The original dataset contained 438 questionnaire records. Following screening for substantial non-response and straight-line answering, 421 cases were retained for partial least squares structural equation modelling. The measurement model achieved acceptable internal consistency and convergent validity: Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.785 to 0.822, composite reliability from 0.854 to 0.876, and average variance extracted from 0.540 to 0.586. Air-pollution exposure significantly increased respiratory symptoms (β = 0.324, p < 0.001). Policy management strengthened community action, while policy management, community support and perceived exposure promoted youth protective behaviour. However, policy, community and individual protective constructs did not directly reduce respiratory symptoms. The findings indicate that awareness and personal precautions cannot substitute for source-oriented emission control. An integrated intervention architecture is proposed, combining enforceable urban regulation, school- and community-based risk communication, real-time air-quality information and practical exposure-reduction measures.
Unknown authors· International Journal of Pub...· 0 citations
