Authors : Katarzyna Gajowniczek; Bianka Błaszkiewicz; Jakub Paprocki; Magdalena Cyzio; Maria Nowakowska; Nicola Chrzanowska; Oliwia Gabriela Szustek; Patrycja Łazicka

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5e53zwy7

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/y5npnks5

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1489

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Abstract : Background: Air pollution has emerged as the most significant environmental threat to global public health, significantly contributing to the burden of non-communicable respiratory diseases. Nearly the entire global population is exposed to air quality levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits.  Objective: This review aims to synthesize current scientific evidence regarding the specific cellular mechanisms through which pollutants induce respiratory damage and to evaluate the resulting clinical manifestations across the human lifespan.  Methods: A structured review of the literature was performed, analyzing 15 high-impact core publications, including official WHO guidelines, ERS/ATS policy statements, and landmark longitudinal cohort studies.  Results: The analysis identifies three primary pathophysiological pathways: (1) disruption of the respiratory epithelial barrier, (2) induction of systemic oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling, and (3) immune system modulation via epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. These mechanisms are directly linked to the exacerbation of asthma, the progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and increased lung cancer incidence. Furthermore, evidence suggests that while early-life exposure stunts pediatric lung development, environmental interventions can lead to measurable respiratory recovery. Conclusion: Air pollution acts as a fundamental modifier of human biology. To mitigate the global crisis of respiratory morbidity, it is imperative to align national regulatory standards with current clinical evidence and WHO benchmarks.

Keywords : Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, Respiratory Diseases, Pathophysiology, Epigenetics, Public Health.

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