Which of the following is NOT a long-term effect of air pollution on human health?

Asthma is considered primarily a chronic respiratory condition influenced by various factors, including genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, but it is not primarily classified as a long-term effect of air pollution in the same way that heart disease, lung cancer, and emphysema are.

Heart disease and conditions like lung cancer and emphysema have been well-established in studies as being significantly linked to long-term exposure to air pollutants, such as particulate matter and harmful gases. These diseases develop over time and are exacerbated by continued exposure to air pollution, making them critical long-term health outcomes associated with high pollution levels.

While air pollution can exacerbate asthma symptoms and increase the frequency of asthma attacks, it is not necessarily the direct cause of the condition itself. Asthma can be managed effectively in many instances, and its onset may be independent of prolonged exposure to air pollution. Thus, it is more appropriate to categorize asthma as an acute or chronic condition that may become more severe due to poor air quality but does not fit the definition of a long-term effect of air pollution in the same way as the other conditions listed.