Air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, and volatile organic compounds can cause respiratory tract irritation, lung toxicity, and systemic effects by entering the bloodstream.

“Air pollutants PM2.5, PM10 and poisonous gases like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, directly contact the respiratory tract, lungs, and eyes, causing irritation and direct toxicity. Smaller particles, particularly ultrafine particles and certain PM2.5 components, can cross the lung tissue (alveoli) into the bloodstream, leading to systemic and metabolic toxicity, as well as hormone and immune dysregulation.”