Fossil fuel pollution affects every stage of human life, from prenatal development to old age, with exposure at earlier stages often having lasting negative consequences. Below are the main health impacts according to individual stages of life, as described in the sources:

1. Before birth (Prenatal period)

The prenatal months represent critical period, during which a baby's brain, lungs, heart and other organs are developing. Exposure to pollutants from the mining and burning of fossil fuels during this period can have devastating and long-term effects on human health.

• Adverse birth outcomes: Exposure is associated with an increased risk low birth weight, premature birth (preterm birth) and abortion (miscarriage).
• Birth defects: Prenatal proximity to unconventional oil and gas extraction activities, including fracking and flaring, is correlated with an increased risk of birth defects such as anencephaly, spina bifida, neural tube defects, orofacial clefts, and heart defectsExposure to pollution from coal mining is also associated with gastrointestinal birth defects.
• Cognitive impairment: Higher exposure to diesel pollution in the womb may negatively affect a child's cognitive development.
• Cancer risk: Prenatal exposure to benzene and other chemicals associated with the burning of gasoline and diesel may increase the risk of childhood cancer.
• Risks for pregnant people: Some evidence suggests that exposure to coal pollution may make it more difficult to conceive successfully or increase the risk of miscarriage. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) from traffic-related pollution (TRAP) increases the risk preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

2. Childhood

Children are particularly vulnerable to health damage from fossil fuel pollution because they breathe faster and inhale more pollutants relative to their body weight. Their narrower airways and developing organs are more susceptible to damage.

• Cancer: Exposure to various fossil fuel-related activities is associated with childhood cancer, most commonly: leukemiaChildren living in close proximity to oil facilities, unconventional oil and gas extraction, major roads, or gas stations are at highest risk.
• Respiratory diseases: Pollutants impair lung function and worsen asthma and other respiratory diseases. Proximity to gas extraction, coal-fired power plants, and major roads is associated with increased asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations in children.
• Neurological and cognitive impairment: Exposure to pollution can hinder neurological development and negatively impact mental health. A meta-analysis of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) exposure in young children showed a significant IQ decrease up to the age of 9. Children exposed to coal ash had higher scores for depressive problems.

3. Adolescence

Adolescence is an important period of neurological and physical development.

• Developmental impacts: Although research is limited, there is evidence that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may affect the timing of puberty onset.

4. Adulthood

Adult vulnerability is primarily related to life circumstances, such as exposure at work.

• Occupational hazards: Young adults often work in the most dangerous, high-exposure positions in the fossil fuel industry.
• Cancer: Workers in the oil industry have been found to have an increased risk of cancer, including mesothelioma, skin melanoma, multiple myeloma, prostate and bladder cancer, and in offshore workers an increased risk of lung cancer and leukemia.
• Cardiovascular and cognitive diseases: Pollution impairs cognitive function and mental health, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Exposure to traffic-related pollution (NO₂) is associated with an increased risk heart failure.
• Respiratory diseases: Exposure increases the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases, including COPD.

5. Elderhood

Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to physiological factors such as declining respiratory and cardiovascular system efficiency, the presence of chronic diseases, and cumulative lifetime exposure.

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases: Air pollution worsens existing chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma, COPD, dementia and metabolic diseases. For example, exposure to PAHs reduces small airway function in patients with COPD.
• Neurological disorders: Lifetime exposure increases the risk of developing health conditions that make aging more difficult. Exposure to PM2.5, NO₂ and black carbon can contribute to cognitive decline and increases the risk dementia a Parkinson's disease.
• Premature mortality: Exposure to pollution from fossil fuels causes premature deathOne study found that increased exposure to SO₂, particularly from burning coal and oil, was associated with premature mortality in older adults. JRi