06 April 2026 : Review article
A Review of the Increasing Impact and Effects of Air Pollution Throughout Life and Before Birth
Dinah V. Parums
DEF 1
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.953109
Med Sci Monit 2026; 32:e953109
Introduction
Components of Air Pollution
Fetal Development and Low Birth Weight
Pregnancy Loss and Birth Outcomes
Male Fertility
Childhood Lung Development
Childhood Asthma
Childhood Cardiovascular Development
Childhood Cognitive and Behavioral Development
Mental Health in Children and Adolescents
Lung Disease in Adults
Cardiovascular Disease in Adults
Mental Health, Cognition, and Dementia
Air Pollution and Cancer
International Recommendations on Air Pollution and Health
Conclusions
References
Table 2 Adverse health outcomes from air pollution across different stages of life [3,6].
| Stage in life | Health outcomes |
|---|---|
| Conception and fertility | Reduced female fertility |
| Reduced male fertility (reduced sperm count and mobility) | |
| Pregnancy and birth | Impaired fetal development |
| Low birth weight | |
| Increased preterm births | |
| Increased rates of miscarriage | |
| Child development and health from birth to adolescence | Heart and lung development |
| Increased incidence of asthma | |
| Increased blood pressure | |
| Impaired cognitive development | |
| Increased rates of hyperactivity | |
| Impaired mental health | |
| Health in adulthood | Reduced life expectancy |
| Cardiac health | |
| Respiratory health | |
| Stroke | |
| Mental health |