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Public Health & Epidemiology vocabulary · Environmental and Occupational Health

Air pollution

Meaning in public health & epidemiology, with examples

nounCommon term

In public health & epidemiology, air pollution means: Harmful substances in the air, such as fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone, that come from traffic, industry, heating and the burning of fuels and damage health.

In Turkish: hava kirliliği

How it is used

WHO counts it among the biggest environmental risks to health, linked to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory illness. People talk about outdoor (ambient) and household air pollution, PM2.5 levels and air quality guidelines.

Example sentences

  1. Air pollution levels in the city exceeded WHO guideline values on most winter days.

  2. Children living near busy roads are more exposed to air pollution.

Common collocations

  • air quality
  • household air pollution
  • PM2.5 levels
  • exposure to air pollution
  • reduce air pollution
  • environmental healthThe branch of public health that deals with how the physical environment, including air, water, food, housing, noise and chemicals, affects people's health.
  • exposureContact with or experience of something that may affect health, such as a germ, a chemical, tobacco smoke, a type of diet or a particular job.
  • noncommunicable diseaseA long-lasting illness that is not passed from person to person, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease or diabetes.
  • burden of diseaseThe total impact of a disease or health problem on a population, measured by deaths, illness, disability and sometimes economic cost.

More terms: Environmental and Occupational Health

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.