The Stark Reality of Air Pollution

Hello, blogging friends. I apologize for my absence over the past few months. I’ve been out of town helping with family matters. I hope your holidays sparkled & your new year is off to a beautiful start.

In researching my subject matter for this post, I was stunned by the statistics. News outlets report very little about air pollution in general, and certainly nothing I’ve heard or read until now addresses the critical health problems it contributes to around the world. In fact, reporting leans more toward news of the environmental degradation it brings about than its effects on humans. How unusual is that?

According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air Report, 156 million people in the US live in areas with ongoing unhealthy air quality. That number is an increase of 25 million people from last year, and represents about half of this country’s population. The report explains extreme heat, drought and wildfires are contributing to worsening levels of air pollution across much of the U.S., exposing a growing proportion of the population to ozone and particle pollution that put their health at risk.

A news release at Healthdata.org states air pollution remains the leading 
environmental risk factor for death around the world, contributing to 7.9 million deaths in 2023. Over 85% of these deaths involved chronic, noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, heart disease, COPD, and stroke. Dementia related to air pollution in 2023 resulted in 625,000 deaths globally, and almost 12 million years of healthy life lost. (Did I mention I was stunned by the statistics?)

Fine particle pollution, primarily derived from the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, and wildfires, is the air’s biggest contributor to disease. But pollution sources, as you might imagine, are diverse. See this article for more on that.

Legislative changes are required to improve these sad statistics on a macro level. (And as hard as it is to believe, progress has been made in some countries.) Meanwhile, there are measures we can take as individuals to help protect ourselves from the ravages of air pollution. Below I’ve listed 4 of my suggestions.

1. Use an indoor air purifier. The American Lung Association explains that indoor air can be up to 100 times worse than outdoor air. Yikes! You can find air purifiers online that are not terribly expensive. Change their filters as indicated for best results.
2. Avoid breathing gasoline or other car fumes. Close your windows or hit the inside air button if you’re driving behind a vehicle emitting exhaust fumes. Put on a mask or breathe through your sleeve if you’re outside and smell fumes.
3. When your area is smoky due to nearby wildfires, wear a mask outside. Even if you’re just walking across a parking lot. You want to keep those little particles from accumulating in your lungs, and each small action you take helps.
4. Eat more fruits, vegetables, & fish, and less refined sugar and saturated fats. (I bet you knew I would get around to this idea!) From a write-up in the journal Nutrients titled Nutritional Solutions to Reduce Risks of Negative Health Impacts of Air Pollution, nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may attenuate the damage induced by air pollution. Omega-3s can be obtained not only through fish like salmon and mackerel, but also algae oil. As for antioxidants, increase your intake of matcha, berries, cruciferous veggies, mushrooms, olive oil, nuts, whole grains, and dark chocolate.

Pollution is a growing problem worldwide, resulting in staggering numbers of diseases and deaths. But we can help mitigate its effects on our biology. Taking a few steps toward protecting our bodies could be the catalyst for a longer, healthier life.

Blessings for Cleaner Air & Healthier Bodies,

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.