Indoor and outdoor pollution

Air pollution is a well established hazard for human health. Air quality is particularly important for subpopulations that are more susceptible (i.e. children, elderly, subjects with cardio-respiratory diseases or socio-economically deprived) or at higher risk for specific exposures (workers exposed to inorganic dust, wood dust, fumes, gases and cleaning agents). Children are particularly vulnerable since they inhale a higher volume of air per body weight than adults, the lungs are growing, the immune system is incomplete, and defence mechanisms are still evolving. Air pollution can affect the cells in the lung by damaging those that are most susceptible, and if damaged cells are important in the development of new functional parts of the lung, then the lung may not achieve its full growth and function as a child matures to adulthood. This could lead to enhanced susceptibility during adulthood to the effects of ageing and infections as well as to pollutants (1). Air pollution is mostly produced by human activities. Other pollutants derive from natural sources, as biological allergens (acarids, house dust mites, pets, moulds..), and natural phenomena (i.e. volcanic activity, forest fires).