Effects of atmospheric air pollutants on human health (overview)

Abstract

One of modern humanity’s global scourges is air pollution on account not only of its influence on climate change but also its significant impact on public health. A review of current data on the effects of priority atmospheric air pollutants on human health was carried out. The search was performed using eLIBRARY.RU, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed, in a time span of 2017–2022. Particulate matter (with a diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or less and 10 μm (PM10) or less) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were the most widely investigated pollutants in the context of health effects. Recently, however, there has been growing interest in the health effects of ozone. Despite the fact that most of the works were devoted to the study of the influence of pollutants on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, recently the vector of scientific interests shifted to determine the possible role of pollutants in the formation of mental disorders, pathologies of central nervous and endocrine systems, reproductive function. Data on the association of prolonged exposure to nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5, carbon monoxide and ozone with increased morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 were provided. Prolonged exposure to concentrations well below current standards has been found to have a significant negative impact on the health of both adults and children. Further research in this area is needed to address the possible correction of modern air quality standards.