Air pollution is a serious problem that affects the air we breathe every day. It comes from things like traffic, bushfires, and dust storms.
These events release tiny harmful particles into the air, known as PM2.5, which can get deep into our lungs and cause health problems.
A new study led by Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver from the University of Technology Sydney and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research has found that vitamin C may help protect our lungs from the damage caused by air pollution.
This study was published in the journal Environment International.
PM2.5 particles are very small and come from sources like car exhaust, smoke, and dust. Once they enter the lungs, they can lead to diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and even lung cancer.
Scientists have found that there is no safe level of PM2.5, meaning even low amounts can be harmful. In fact, air pollution is now seen as the second-highest preventable risk to our health—worse than smoking. In 2019 alone, it caused the loss of more than 200 million years of healthy life worldwide due to early deaths and illness.
The new research used a mouse model to test whether vitamin C could reduce the damage caused by PM2.5. The scientists gave vitamin C to the mice and exposed them to low levels of PM2.5. They found that vitamin C helped reduce lung inflammation and protected the mitochondria—the tiny parts of cells that make energy—from damage.
Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant power, which means it helps fight off harmful substances in the body. This study showed that vitamin C could block the damage caused by PM2.5 particles by reducing oxidative stress and swelling in the lungs. In simple terms, it helped keep the lungs and cells healthier even when exposed to polluted air.
This discovery is especially important for people who are at high risk, such as those living in cities with heavy traffic or areas affected by bushfires and dust storms. Taking vitamin C might offer a simple and low-cost way to protect the lungs during bad air quality events.
However, Professor Oliver warns people not to rush to buy large amounts of vitamin C supplements. He explains that more is not always better, and taking too much could actually be harmful. Many over-the-counter supplements contain other ingredients, and it’s easy to take too much without realizing it.
Instead, he advises people to speak with their doctor to find the right amount and type of vitamin C for their body. The study suggests that the highest safe dose of vitamin C could help, but only if taken correctly and under medical advice.
In conclusion, this study gives us hope that vitamin C could become a helpful tool in protecting our lungs from air pollution.
While it’s not a cure, and it won’t replace clean air policies or medical treatments, it could be a useful support—especially for people at higher risk during events like bushfires. More research is still needed, but this is a step toward finding better ways to manage the growing problem of polluted air.
If you care about lung, please read studies about a review of COPD-friendly foods for lung health, and can Vitamin C and E help fight lung cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how diet influences lung health, and these vegetables could benefit your lung health.
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