Air pollution and DOHaD: The health of the next generation with emphasis on the Brazilian population

It is established in the scientific literature that environmental air pollution has acute and chronic harmful consequences on human health. In recent decades, studies showed that the harmful effects of bad air quality can impair future generations. Early exposure to bad air quality (in uterus, infant, and early childhood) can increase the susceptibility to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) across the lifespan. Brazil and other countries do not meet health safety standards recommended by the World Health Organization, exposing large population to air pollution and its risks. Controlling air quality is crucial in order to face the increase in NCDs and protect the health of the population. Reducing air pollution should be considered a public health policy to prevent and manage NCDs, alongside with well-established recommendations for changes in lifestyle (eating healthy food, exercising, stopping tobacco smoking, etc.).