Emerging concern on air pollution and health: Trade-off between air pollution exposure and physical activity

• Published in: Eco-Environment & Health Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 202 - 207
• Main Authors: Wu, Pengpeng, Guo, Qian, Zhao, Yuchen, Bian, Mengyao, Cao, Suzhen, Zhang, Junfeng (Jim), Duan, Xiaoli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Air pollution; Exposure; Interaction; Physical activity; Thresholds; Air pollution; Exposure; Physical activity; Thresholds; Interaction
• ISSN: 2772-9850; 2772-9850
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.01.012

Air pollution is a major contributor to the global disease burden, especially affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health. However, physical activity is associated with improved lung function, a slower decline in lung function, and lower mortality. The public is more likely to be exposed to air pollution during outdoor physical activity. However, studies on how long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution interacts with physical activity yield inconsistent results, and the thresholds for air pollution and physical activity remain unclear. Thus, more studies are needed to provide sufficient evidence to guide the public to safely engage in outdoor physical activity when exposed to air pollution. •Air pollution and physical activity have interactive effects on health, as demonstrated by epidemiologic studies and animal experiments.•Heat waves play an important role in future studies investigating the interaction of air pollution and physical activity.•Threshold studies of air pollution and physical activity are key to protecting the public from unhealthy physical activity.