Air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental health challenges worldwide, intricately linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic diseases. With increasing industrialization, urbanization, and vehicular emissions, the atmosphere has become saturated with harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and ground-level ozone (O3). These pollutants penetrate deep into the human respiratory system and bloodstream, triggering inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and immune dysfunction. Epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate strong associations between air pollution exposure and respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, alongside cardiovascular conditions such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Furthermore, emerging evidence highlights its role in neurodegenerative disorders, adverse birth outcomes, and metabolic diseases, underscoring its systemic impact on human health. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions, bear a disproportionate burden of disease attributable to air pollution. The global health toll translates into millions of premature deaths annually and a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. This complex linkage between air pollution and disease calls for multidisciplinary research, stringent regulatory policies, innovative technological solutions, and heightened public awareness to mitigate exposure risks and safeguard public health on a global scale.
