Air pollution can affect health in what two kinds of effects?

• A. Short-term and long-term effects
• B. Acute and chronic effects
• C. Immediate and delayed effects
• D. Temporary and persistent effects

Answer: (A)

Air pollution affects health across different time frames: some effects show up quickly during or right after exposure, while others develop only after prolonged exposure and can last a long time. The quick, short-term effects include immediate symptoms like eye irritation, coughing, throat irritation, and asthmatic flare-ups during or soon after pollution days. The long-term effects come from ongoing exposure over months or years and can lead to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced lung function, or increased cancer risk. So, recognizing both short-term (immediate, often reversible) and long-term (lasting, cumulative) effects captures the full range of health impacts from air pollution.