Athletes are particularly vulnerable to health risks from air pollution, which can impair performance and increase disease risk.
Valérie Bougault writes for The Conversation.
In short:
- Air pollutants like PM2.5, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone pose severe health risks to athletes, causing respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological problems.
- High pollution levels from traffic, industrial emissions, wildfires and even indoor sources can significantly degrade athletic performance.
- Specific pollutants like ozone and PM2.5 can extend race times and increase dropout rates in endurance sports.
Key quote:
“High concentrations of VOCs can come from alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in fitness centers or cleaning products, air fresheners or diffusers, but also from new equipment.”
— Valérie Bougault, Université Côte d’Azur
Why this matters:
Long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of chronic diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, heart disease and even lung cancer.
Children and young adults are particularly susceptible. Their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, potentially impacting their growth and overall health.
