Air pollution can irritate the respiratory tract and cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health found that short-term exposure to air pollution can also cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. These problems can be exacerbated with long-term exposure.
Nausea due to air pollution is a common condition that many of us have experienced. The cause is harmful substances in the air, which when inhaled will cause discomfort to the body.
Why does air pollution cause nausea?
Inhalation of toxic gases
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Thoracic Society, inhaling toxic air can cause serious damage to the respiratory tract and lungs. This can impair the function of the respiratory system. The presence of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere irritates the respiratory system.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are another common cause of nausea due to air pollution. These are compounds with high vapor pressure and low solubility in water. These emissions are mainly produced by tires, car exhaust systems, or even industrial emissions. When inhaled, they affect the central nervous system and cause dizziness and vomiting.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter is a mixture of extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets in the atmosphere. Hazardous particulate matter, which is less than 10 micrometers wide, is easily inhaled. It can penetrate the lungs and cause inflammation. This is what causes nausea. Not only that, a study published in the journal Nanomaterials states that exposure to PM can cause serious health problems such as eye, nose, skin and throat irritation, as well as difficulty breathing, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing.
Exposure to ozone
When ozone mixes with other pollutants it turns into smog, which is one of the least regulated pollutants in the United States and also one of the most dangerous, and can cause eye irritation and irritation of the lining of the nose and throat, causing nausea, according to the American Lung Association.
Sensory overload
Nausea is also caused by the olfactory organs being overwhelmed by the scents emanating from industrial waste or toxic spills. These strong scents overstimulate the olfactory system, resulting in nausea as a reflex.
