Every day, we breathe nearly 20,000 times—a gesture so commonplace that we often forget to consider the quality of the air we inhale. Long perceived as a simple environmental issue, Air pollution is now a real threat to our health.More and more studies are revealing its role in the onset or worsening of numerous chronic diseases, Such as asthmacardiovascular accidents, the diabetes or even strokes. In France, as elsewhere, air pollution is believed to be responsible for thousands of premature deaths each year. Faced with these alarming findings, it is becoming urgent to rethink the link between the environment and health.
According to the WHO estimate, pollution-related illnesses are :
- 36% of lung cancers
- 35% of COPD
- 34% of strokes
- 27% of heart diseases
What is environmental health?
La environmental health includes all of the environmental factors likely to influence human health. It studies the effects of the physical, chemical, biological and social elements of our environment — such as air, water and soil quality, noise, or exposure to pollutants — on our well-being and our state of health.
This discipline aims to better understand how our living environment may cause or worsen certain chronic, respiratory, cardiovascular or metabolic diseasesIt also plays a key role in preventing health risks related to the environment, by identifying the sources of pollution and proposing concrete measures to reduce them.
In a context of climate change and environmental degradation, environmental health is becoming an essential lever to protect public health, fight against social inequalities in health and anticipate the health challenges of tomorrow.
What environmental factors influence health?
- Air quality,Exposure to air pollution (fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, etc.) increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular and cancers.
- Water qualityWater contaminated by pathogens, nitrates, or heavy metals can lead to infections, digestive disorders or chronic diseases.
- Soil qualityPolluted soils can contain pesticides, hydrocarbons or toxic metals that can contaminate crops, water and air.
- Chemicals and toxic substancesExposure to endocrine disruptors, solvents, or plastics can affect development, fertility, or cause certain cancers.
- Noise exposureEnvironmental noise (road, rail, industrial traffic) is a factor in stress, sleep disorders and high blood pressure.
- Light pollutionExcessive artificial light disrupts biological rhythms, sleep quality, and can have effects on the Mental Health.
- Climate ChangeClimate change promotes the emergence of infectious diseases, heat waves, extreme events and worsens air pollution.
- Housing conditions and urban planningHumidity, mold, poor insulation, or exposure to lead can be harmful to health, especially in children.
- Professional environmentProlonged exposure to hazardous substances or chronic stress at work has direct effects on physical and mental health.
- Social factors and environmental inequalities: Disadvantaged populations are often more exposed to environmental risks, which exacerbates health inequalities.
What are the health consequences of air pollution?
La atmospheric pollution has general effects on the body, in particular an increase in inflammationThe heart and lungs are affected, but also the brain. an increase in neurodegenerative diseases.
A Public Health France study highlights that ambient air pollution is responsible each year in France for 12 to 20% of new cases of respiratory diseases in children, and 7 to 13% of respiratory, cardiovascular or metabolic diseases in adults, resulting in an estimated annual economic cost of 12,9 billion euros.
This work complements work from 2021 estimating at 40,000 is the number of deaths per year associated with air pollution.
The work of epidemiologists makes it possible to better quantify the effects of air pollution and to make them more visible, which increases public awareness, while the situation is actually improving, even though significant efforts still need to be made.
Fortunately, the impact of pollution remains modest on most diseases, but it affects the majority of the population! It is not very visible because it is diluted, hence the usefulness of public health studies to try to quantify it.
Environmental health: Prevention
Preserving your health also means taking care of the environment. Prevention is not just about reducing the risk of disease; it also involves more sustainable lifestyle choices that respect our ecosystemBecause human health and planetary health are deeply interconnected:
- Adopting a healthier diet,
- Prioritize active modes of transportation,
- Breathe cleaner air…
All these actions, by improving our well-being, also contribute to protecting our environment. It is within this virtuous cycle that the future of comprehensive health, both individual and environmental, is taking shape.
FAQ
An endocrine disruptor is a substance, natural or artificial, that interferes with the functioning of the hormonal (or endocrine) system. These substances can to mimic, block or modify the action of hormonesleading to adverse health effects, even at very low doses.
Present in many everyday products — plastics, cosmetics, pesticides, textiles, food packaging — endocrine disruptors are associated with various disorders: infertility, developmental disorders, precocious puberty, hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate), obesity, diabetes, or neurological disorders.
The first signs of a allergies linked to Pollution Airborne symptoms are often similar to those of a seasonal allergy, but they can intensify during pollution peaks or in dense urban environments. Among the symptoms The most common ones include:
- Eye irritations Red eyes, stinging, frequent watering
- Runny nose or blocked nose : without obvious infectious cause
- Persistent dry cough especially at the end of the day or after outdoor exposure
- Irritated throat : tingling or burning sensation
- Respiratory difficulties shortness of breath, wheezing, feeling of chest tightness
- Asthma attacks in sensitive people
- Unusual fatigue : linked to a lack of optimal oxygenation
These symptoms can appear or worsen during pollution peaks, particularly in the presence of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, or nitrogen dioxide. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.
Research at the Pasteur Institute of Lille on environmental health
The Pasteur Institute of Lille develops multidisciplinary expertise on the links between pollution, the environment and healthHis teams conduct basic, clinical and applied research to better understand the impact of environmental exposures on chronic and respiratory diseases.
- The ELISABET study, carried by Luc Dauchet's team, examines the effects of air pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular health in Lille and Dunkirk. The study revealed impaired respiratory function, increased inflammation, and elevated HbA1c (a marker of diabetes), highlighting that pollution accelerates the onset of age-related diseases. Researchers are still analyzing this data using tools such as metabolomics, and exploring new areas, particularly the relationship between urban planning and health.
- The Microbiological Safety Unit, led by the Dr. Michèle VialetteThis unit specializes in studying the behavior of viruses and bacteria in the environment. In collaboration with industry partners, it evaluates the effectiveness of disinfection devices and antiviral technologies. Mobilized during the Covid-19 crisis, the unit strengthened its expertise in aerosol testing and the evaluation of hygiene products under real-world conditions.
- Dr. Muriel Pichavant's team et Philippe Gosset (Lille Infection and Immunity Center) works on COPD and structures its research around three axes: inflammatory and immune mechanisms, the search for innovative therapeutic targets (antibodies, gene therapies) and the development of prevention strategies based on reducing environmental exposure and personalizing care.
- Dr. Patricia de Nadaï, within the team " Pulmonary Immunity "(Lille Infection and Immunity CenterThe team studies severe asthma and the effects of micropollutants on this increasingly prevalent condition. Research shows that exposure to ultrafine particles, including in utero, can impair lung development and promote the transgenerational transmission of asthma through epigenetic mechanisms. In collaboration with physicians at the Lille University Hospital, the team is working to identify new biomarkers to improve diagnosis and tailor treatments, while also strengthening prevention efforts.
