Clean air is crucial in public health because it minimizes exposure to harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone, which are known to damage lung tissue and impair cardiovascular function. Chronic inhalation of polluted air leads to increased rates of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart attacks, and strokes. By reducing air pollution, clean air lowers inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, directly decreasing the incidence and severity of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, maintaining clean air is a key preventive measure to improve overall population health outcomes.

Reference: Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, Jameson et al., 20th Edition.