Fossil fuel infrastructure can cause negative effects on human health over long periods of time. Studies show how infrastructure may release air pollutants such as toxic gases and carbon monoxide into the air. These air pollutants may cause severe health conditions such as asthma, heart problems, and lung cancer. The WHO states air pollution causes millions of deaths every year, since air pollution can increase the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fossil fuel infrastructure may be built in areas close to people’s homes and will negatively affect the health of those who live close by, unless they move away from where they live.

Besides air pollution, contamination in the water can come from chemicals that are dumped out by these factories and refineries. The infrastructure working conditions may cause negative effects on human health as well, by exposing individuals to stress from working in such environments. Fossil fuel-related air pollution is one of the main reasons one in every five deaths happens around the world.

WHO