Jessica Kelley, Student Pharmacist with Karen Kier, Pharmacist
on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In January of 1974, the Hollies released their hit The Air That I Breathe, which reached #2 in the United Kingdom and #6 in the United States.  The English rock band was formed in 1962 in Manchester, England by boyhood friends Allan Clarke and Graham Nash. Nash left the group in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash. Graham Nash rejoined the group for a brief period in 1981 to record a new album. The Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, while Crosby, Stills & Nash were inducted in 1997. 

Lung disease including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects about 35 million Americans. The American Lung Association evaluates statistics related to lung diseases and reports an increasing trend in the United States. Their report indicates 44% of the U.S. population lives in an unhealthy air pollution area.  

Air pollution is made up of tiny harmful particles called pollutants that contaminate the environment and the air we breathe. It is a major health concern that triggers injury and irritation to a person's lungs and blood vessels. One out of eight deaths worldwide is linked to air pollution. Besides air pollution contributing to lung and heart disease, it is linked to an increase risk of dementia, diabetes, infertility, birth defects, and lung cancer. 

Are there ways to counteract the effects of air pollution?

In a 2023 laboratory study, researchers wanted to know if eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and seafood, has health benefits that can protect the body from air pollution. Other sources of EPA can include omega-3 fatty acid supplements, fish oil supplements, and omega-3-enriched eggs. The experiment involved evaluating human cells to see if omega-3 fatty acids had any benefit. Researchers treated human lung cells with 40 micromoles of EPA for 2 hours, then the lung cells were exposed to pollutants for 2 to 8 hours. The researchers compared cell injury severity to cells not exposed to pollutants, as well as protective activities from cell damage exposed to pollutants. 

The findings indicated that EPA can stop the cellular irritation and damage while bolstering protective mechanisms within the cells. This is highly significant because air pollution is a leading cause of cardiovascular (CV) disease, which arises from the injury and irritation to blood vessels caused by pollutants. The study results suggest that different omega-3 fatty acid supplements may offer a robust defense for both human lungs and the cardiovascular system against the effects of air pollution. Notably, a standard 1000 mg fish oil supplement provides more than 15 times the EPA dosage utilized in this specific research. As this was a laboratory-based study, additional clinical trials involving human subjects are necessary to fully confirm the link between EPA and improved respiratory and CV health.

An April 2025 study published in the journal Environment & Health evaluated data from 82,706 nonsmokers from the United Kingdom exposed to air pollution. The study measured blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the participants and biomarkers of inflammation. The researchers analyzed the data to see if the omega-3 fatty acids made any difference in the development or the risk of developing COPD. The authors reported a higher risk of developing COPD with low blood levels of omega-3 compared to no increased risk of COPD in those with high blood levels. The researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids have a protective effect in preventing COPD in individuals with long-term exposure to air pollution. 

Additional strategies for self-protection against air pollution involve wearing face masks to prevent the inhalation of toxic particles, replacing vehicle air filters quarterly, and staying away from smoky environments or active fires.

Think about the air you breathe!  A pharmacist can help pick an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or add more EPA to your diet.