Examples of respiratory clinical effects associated with air pollution
| Increased respiratory mortality |
| Increased incidence of malignancies of the respiratory tract |
| Increased incidence, prevalence or frequency of exacerbations in chronic pulmonary disease: asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis |
| Increased incidence or severity of upper and lower respiratory tract infections |
| Increased respiratory symptoms that affect quality of life: cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspnoea and nasal drainage |
| Increased incidence of preterm birth, low birthweight or growth restriction leading to adverse respiratory outcomes |
| Reduced growth of lung function in children |
| Transient (hours) reductions in lung function associated with symptoms in healthy individuals Transient (hours) reductions in lung function without symptoms in especially susceptible individuals (e.g. children with severe asthma) |
| Persistent or chronic (weeks, months or years) reductions in lung function |
COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.