Pollution is a problem. It's not a new problem, but it can affect our environment and health long-term. Deena Thomas, an assistant professor of public health at Binghamton University's Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, has been studying environmental health for years with a focus on toxic exposure, and she has concentrated most recently on tiny particles referred to as PM2.5.
"PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, making it a significant air pollutant," Thomas says. "It's so small it can affect all kinds of bodily systems, and I've been especially interested in how it impacts iron production in the body. There's a growing body of research connecting air pollution to respiratory health, cardiovascular health and even mental health."
Thomas' motivation for her research comes from the lack of awareness about the problem.
"The issue is just so widespread," she explains. "What really motivated me is that people don't seem to understand its scope, but it impacts so many lives. Every year when I teach environmental health, students are surprised to hear that air pollution is a leading cause of mortality around the world."
While we might think that air pollution primarily affects large, densely populated areas, that's untrue. Thomas researches perceptions of air pollution in India's indigenous communities.
"These are communities that do not use terms like 'air pollution' or 'climate change,' but they're making the same observations, noting how vehicles pollute the air, the weather is changing, their health is affected, traditional medicines aren't working the same," she says. "It gives me goosebumps to realize how people all over the world are noticing the same changes, even if they describe them differently."
It's a problem that won't be solved overnight. According to Thomas, air pollution is incredibly complex and there's no quick fix.
But continuing to raise awareness is a good start.
"One of the most important things we can do is measure pollutants and make that data accessible to the public," she says. "I saw it firsthand during the wildfires in the U.S. and Canada - parents in Binghamton were checking air quality reports and making informed choices for their kids with asthma. That kind of awareness is already saving lives."
There are plenty of ideas on combating pollution and finding a solution, but Thomas is looking at an area many may not consider: nutrition. She believes it could offer a protective effect against environmental pollutants.
"It's almost intuitive. The better nourished someone is, the more resilient they might be to harmful exposures like PM2.5," she explains. "We're trying to understand how interventions in diet could lessen some of the damage caused by toxicants."
When it comes to public knowledge about environmental health, Thomas believes people may misunderstand where this pollution is occurring. It's not just confined to big cities, she says, and even household products can be contributors.
However, Thomas is encouraged by the recent events signaling a shift in the right direction.
"When I was growing up, we didn't talk about air quality the way we do now. But just recently, during the wildfires, I saw parents rescheduling sports events, checking air quality levels and making real-time decisions for their kids' health," she says. "It shows why making environmental data accessible really matters."
