• Question: Does pollution have a long term effect on our lungs?

    Asked by anon-181909 to Liza on 18 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Liza Selley

      Liza Selley answered on 18 Jun 2018:


      Hi Crystal,

      Yes unfortunately it does. Research has shown that children who grow up in polluted areas have less developed lungs and worse lung function than children who grew up in the country side. This can continue to affect them in later life – for example they may find exercise difficult.

      People who work and live in cities tend to be exposed to pollution on a regular basis. This means that their lungs are almost constantly inflamed and reacting to the pollution. During inflammation, lots of immune cells enter the airways. It is their job to get rid of whatever caused the inflammation so they start to release toxic chemicals that could break down bacteria or dissolve particles. Unfortunately these chemicals can’t tell the difference between pollution and lung tissue so the lungs themselves get damaged. If the inflammation and the damage continues for a long time people can develop a condition called emphysema where their air sacs collapse and breathing becomes very difficult.

      Hope this answers your question 🙂
      Liza

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