Impact of Air Pollution on Human Health: A Comprehensive Analysis in the Case of Pristina city, Kosovo

Abstract

Air pollution remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, profoundly affecting public and individual health and contributing to escalating morbidity and mortality rates. This major concern is particularly pronounced in urban areas, where cities such as Pristina in Kosovo are experiencing significant health impacts due to air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) is among the main pollutants implicated in the development of human diseases. PM, characterized by its small and variable diameter, penetrates the respiratory system after inhalation, causing a spectrum of adverse health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, reproductive dysfunction, damage to the central nervous system, and cancer. While ozone in the stratosphere serves a protective function against ultraviolet radiation, its presence at ground level in high concentrations poses significant health risks, especially to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In addition, pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide exert harmful effects on human health. Carbon monoxide, at high levels, can cause acute poisoning, while heavy metals such as lead, when absorbed into the body, can cause acute poisoning and chronic intoxication, depending on the duration and intensity of exposure.

Diseases resulting from exposure to these pollutants include a wide spectrum of health issues, including respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchiolitis, and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system dysfunctions, and dermatological pathologies. Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires concerted local and national efforts to achieve healthy air quality standards and ensure a sustainable future for all.