Do you know that just spending two hours near a busy road seems harmless but damage your lungs? In reality, short-term air pollution exposure can result in severe conditions. Thus to understand the short-term air pollution impact on human health, a study has been conducted that shows the eye-opening reality. So let us know the health effects of traffic-related air pollution.
A study published in Science Direct reveals how short exposure to harmful pollutants can cause health issues. For example, a two-hour exposure seems normal, right? But do you know traffic-related air pollution even for a short time can trigger many respiratory problems? Because it can cause asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), lower respiratory tract infection and many more. Here how study has shown the dangerous link between inhaling TRAP and human health. Imagine if two hours have such an impact on human health so what can happen to people living with high pollution levels throughout the year?
What is TRAP and how it can affect human health?
TRAP is a short form for traffic-related air pollution. The traffic-related air pollution emits from different sources including cars, buses, trucks and other vehicles. And this includes various pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10,2.5,1) some harmful gases and chemicals such as NO2, CO, VOCs etc. Thus, inhaling these harmful pollutants can result in severe health issues. Here know how each pollutant of Traffic-Related Air Pollution affect health:
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5 & PM10): These tiny particles can enter deeper into the lungs and bloodstream.
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): Inhaling NO2 for even a short time can contribute to respiratory issues.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): Breathing in high CO levels for hours can affect the blood’s functions to transport oxygen to different organs.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs include many harmful chemicals that can cause inflammation and lung diseases when inhaled.
How Does Inhaling Traffic Pollution for Two Hours Affect Your Health?
The used study is a randomized crossover study in Beijing, China. It has investigated the air pollution effects on young adults only after inhaling for two hours. For it, the study includes 35 healthy young adults who are non-smokers. They stayed for 2 hours in two different places. One location that has low pollution as at a park. And another location is the busy road that has high pollution. Here are the results of the study as the health effects after inhaling traffic-related air pollution:
1. Your Lungs Get Inflamed
After two hours in traffic, people’s breath showed higher levels of a marker called FeNO. It is a sign of lung irritation and swelling.
Moreover, this swelling is an early warning sign for lung diseases like asthma. Even a small rise in FeNO (1.86 parts per billion) suggests your lungs are under stress.
2. Your Lungs may not Work as Well
After two hours of exposure, tests measure how much air they can breathe out like blowing up a balloon. As a result, the capacity of the lungs to breathe has declined in people from busy roads.
These are the healthy adults in the study still the pollution affected them. It means kids, older adults, and people with existing lung issues (like asthma) could face much worse effects.
3. Harmful Changes to Lung Bacteria
Every human body has good and bad bacteria but after spending two hours on a busy road, Traffic pollution alters the mix of bacteria in the lungs. It resulted in bad bacteria in the lungs have increased. It is a type linked to inflammation (Lentilactobacillus). Moreover, the protective bacteria growth decreased [A group linked to lung health (Haemophilus) shrank].
This imbalance weakens your lungs’ defences, making infections or chronic diseases (like COPD) more likely.
4. Not just pollutants harmful chemicals too:
The major issue we always consider is dust (PM2.5) or exhaust fumes (NO₂), but traffic also releases harmful gases called VOCs (like acetone, acetylene, and toluene).
These chemicals silently damage lung cells over time, leading to long-term issues like scarring or reduced lung function.
Short exposure, big impact: Just two hours in traffic pollution can trigger measurable harm. Children, the elderly, and those with lung conditions need extra protection.
The Silent Crisis in Polluted Cities: TRAP vs Human Health
Imagine if this is the situation in just two hours so what it is for cities with high AQI levels throughout the year. This situation in cities like Delhi, Lahore, Kashgar and other cities is dangerous. Because AQI levels always remained in the “Poor to Hazardous” category throughout the year. Here is what people of these cities can face to their health:
1. Lung Damage for Life
Constant exposure to high AQI levels throughout the year can inflame airways. It can lead to diseases like COPD (severe breathing trouble), asthma, and frequent lung infections. Over time, this inflammation scars lung tissue, making it harder to breathe—even for people who’ve never smoked.
2. Your Heart Suffers Too
TRAP enters into your bloodstream and is not just limited to damaging your lungs. Since, it can damage your blood vessels and increase your risks of heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure. Air pollution doesn’t just hurt your lungs—it’s a leading cause of heart disease worldwide.
3. Shortened Lifespans
According to a recent study, people living in Delhi have short lifespans as air pollution cuts their life expectancy by 12 years. Besides, do you know that 4.2 million annual deaths are linked to the This isn’t just about feeling unwell? TRAP cuts lives short, especially in crowded, traffic-heavy cities.
4. Children and Vulnerable groups Pay the Highest Price
Kids, elders, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-respiratory conditions in polluted cities often develop weaker lungs (like a smaller “air tank”). Moreover, children are at higher risk as exposure lowers their cognitive skills (trouble learning or focusing). These effects can last a lifetime, limiting their potential and quality of life.
What Can Be Done?
Both governments and individuals need to help reduce health effects of traffic-related air pollution.
What the Government Can Do:
- Stricter Emission Rules – Make stronger laws to reduce vehicle pollution.
- Fewer Private Cars – Encourage public transport and carpooling.
- Use Clean Energy – Promote electric and hydrogen cars instead of fuel-based ones.
What You Can Do:
- Avoid Busy Roads – Choose routes with less traffic when possible.
- Use an Air Purifier – Helps clean the air inside your home.
- Wear a Mask – An air pollution mask with a carbon filter can block harmful air.
- Support More Trees – Trees and plants help clean the air.
