Which Air Pollutant Most Contributes To Asthma

Are There Special Programs For Monitoring Air Pollution

The EPA reports air pollution levels using the Air Quality Index . AQI reports the level of ozone and other air pollutants. When the AQI is 101 or higher, it is dangerous for people with asthma. You may have to change your activities and medicines. If you have asthma, your symptoms can worsen even when ozone levels are moderate .

Many local weather forecasts warn the public about high air pollution days. You can find this information anytime at AirNow.gov.

Throughout the United States, when air pollution is high, we have AirNow Action Days. These forecast high air pollution days with unhealthy air. During Action Days, people with asthma should limit their time outdoors, especially from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stay in a well-ventilated, preferably air-conditioned, building. Most of all, do not exercise outdoors on Action Days.

Top Asthma Tips For High Pollution Days

What Is Asthma Uk Doing To Protect People From Pollution

• Asthma UK works in partnership with the Healthy Air Campaign to try and encourage behaviour that helps cut air pollution and persuade government to take action to comply with legal limits for air quality.
• We are working with decision makers, such as the Mayor of London, to represent people with asthma and to try to improve air quality and reduce pollution.
• We are that includes easy access to alerts on air quality to help people with asthma protect themselves.
• We are into pollution and asthma so that we can better understand the role air pollutants have and find ways to combat their effects.

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What Pollutants Affect Breathing

You’ve probably heard about the ozone layer and how it protects us from the sun’s rays. But there’s a different layer of ozone thats closer to the ground called ground-level ozone.

Ground-level ozone can harm the lungs. It forms when chemicals from cars, power plants, and factories mix with sunlight. This “ozone pollution” is a main part of smog the brownish-yellow haze often seen hanging over cities on the horizon. It’s worse on warmer days or in warm parts of the country. Nearly 3.6 million kids with asthma live in towns or cities with very high levels of ground-level ozone.

Particle pollution also can cause breathing problems. It’s created when tiny bits of dust, dirt, smoke, soot, and other stuff hang in the air. The smaller the particles, the deeper they can get into the lungs and cause breathing problems.

Search Strategy And Selection Criteria

We searched Pubmed from Jan 1, 2009, to Feb 28, 2014, with the search terms âAsthmaâ and any of the following specific terms: âAir Pollutionâ, âParticulate Matterâ, âPM2·5â, âPM10â, âOzoneâ, âO3â, âSulfur Dioxideâ, âSulfur Oxidesâ, âSO2â, âSOxâ, âNitrogen Dioxideâ, âNitrogen Oxidesâ, âNO2â, âNOxâ, âTrafficâ, âDieselâ, âElemental Carbonâ, or âBlack Carbonâ. We searched the reference lists of recent reports and review articles produced with this search strategy to include relevant publications older than 5 years. Additionally, we included frequently referenced older publications with a high impact based on our knowledge of the subject area, particularly when more recent publications on the same subject were not available.

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Other Adverse Outcomes Found By The Asthma Researchers

• Increases risk of developing cognitive diseases. One study of Mexico City residents exposed lifelong to polluted air found that they had more markers of Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and motor neuron disease .
• It can lower your intelligence. Another study in China found a link between regular exposure to air pollution and poorer verbal and mathematical ability.
• Air pollution leads tomillions of premature deaths. Outdoor air pollution contributes to 4.2 million deaths a year, while indoor air pollution leads to 3.8 million deaths.
• Air pollution contributes to the following:
• 29% of deaths from lung cancer
• 24% of the deaths from stroke
• 25% of the deaths from heart disease
• 43% of the deaths from lung disease

Air Pollution And Environmental Justice

No one wants to live next door to an incinerator, oil refinery, port, toxic waste dump, or other polluting site. Yet millions of people around the world do, and this puts them at a much higher risk for respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, cancer, and death. In the United States, people of color are 1.5 times more likely than whites to live in areas with poor air quality, according to the ALA.

Historically, racist zoning policies and the discriminatory lending practices known as redlining have combined to keep polluting industries and car-choked highways away from white neighborhoods and have turned communities of colorespecially poor and working-class communities of colorinto sacrifice zones where residents are forced to breathe dirty air and suffer the many health problems associated with it. In addition to the increased health risks that come from living in such places, members of these communities experience economic harm in the form of missed workdays, higher medical costs, and local underinvestment.

Environmental racism isn’t limited to cities and industrial areas. Outdoor laborers, including the estimated three million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States, are among the most vulnerable to air pollutionand also among the least equipped, politically, to pressure employers and lawmakers to affirm their right to breathe clean air.

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Asthma Researchers Find A Severe New Strain Likely From Air Pollution

Asthma researchers have identified a new severe asthma species, showing air pollution as a likely contributor. Asthma affects over 300 million people worldwide. The most severe strain, known as non-Th2, or non-atopic childhood asthma, comprises most cases.

Hyunok Choi, an associate professor at the Lehigh University College of Health, says 85% of people have this type of asthma. Low-income countries are disproportionately affected by this strain. However, asthma researchers still dont know if non-Th2 is a distinct disease or just a set of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to find out more about this strain of asthma.

Says Choi:

Asthma And Heart Disease

Two key air pollutants can affect asthma. One is ozone . The other is particle pollution . Studies show that when ozone and particle pollution are in the air, adults and children with asthma, and other lung diseases, are more likely to have symptoms.

Studies also show that air pollution can trigger heart attacks, stroke, and irregular heart rhythmsespecially in people who are already at risk for these conditions. Also, for people with a medical condition called heart failure, air pollution can further reduce the ability of the heart to pump blood the way that it should. Particle pollution is the pollutant of greatest concern for triggering these effects.

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Air Pollution In The United States

Some four out of ten U.S. residents135 million peoplelive in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the 2021 State of the Air report by the American Lung Association . Since the annual report was first published, in 2000, its findings have shown how the Clean Air Act has been able to reduce harmful emissions from transportation, power plants, and manufacturing.

Recent findings, however, reflect how climate changefueled wildfires and extreme heat are adding to the challenges of protecting public health. The latest reportwhich focuses on ozone, year-round particle pollution, and short-term particle pollutionalso finds that people of color are 61 percent more likely than white people to live in a county with a failing grade in at least one of those categories, and three times more likely to live in a county that fails in all three.

In rankings for each of the three pollution categories covered by the ALA report, California cities occupy the top three slots despite significant gains the Golden State has made in the past half-century. At the other end of the spectrum, Burlington, Vermont Honolulu and Wilmington, North Carolina, consistently rank among the countrys best cities for air quality.

What Is Air Pollution

Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the airpollutants which are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. According to the World Health Organization , each year air pollution is responsible for nearly seven million deaths around the globe. Nine out of ten human beings currently breathe air that exceeds the WHOs guideline limits for pollutants, with those living in low- and middle-income countries suffering the most. In the United States, the Clean Air Act, established in 1970, authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to safeguard public health by regulating the emissions of these harmful air pollutants.

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Pollution: Why It Makes Your Asthma Worse

Around two thirds of people with asthma tell us poor air quality makes their asthma worse, putting them at risk of an asthma attack.

This is because pollution can quickly irritate your airways and trigger asthma symptoms. Some pollution particles are small enough to get right into your lungs.

Air pollution is a possible risk factor for everyone with asthma, but some people are more at risk, and may be affected by pollution even on moderate or low pollution days:

• Children and young adults with asthma have faster breathing rates and their lungs are still developing.
• Older people with asthma, particularly if they have other long-term conditions too, like COPD or heart disease.
• People with severe asthma, or asthma thats difficult to control.
• People with hay fever – pollen combined with pollution can mean you feel the effects of your allergy more.

Everyones asthma is different, and like all triggers, air pollution can affect some people more than others. If your asthma is well managed and you rarely have symptoms youll be much more able to cope with the effects, says Dr Andy

Research News: Air Pollution Exposure Contributes To Childhood Asthma Population

New findings from Ontario have shown that children born in Sarnia have a higher risk of developing asthma compared to neighbouring cities.

A research team from Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute using provincial data from ICES, found that higher air pollution exposure in the first year of life very likely contributed to this higher risk.

Its known that cities in Southwestern Ontario have varied levels of air pollution because of differences in industry and traffic. For example, Sarnia is home to the Chemical Valley where numerous chemical plants and oil refineries are clustered, said Dr. Dhenuka Radhakrishnan, an Adjunct ICES Scientist, formerly working out of ICES Western in London.

We wanted to see if children born in three cities London, Windsor and Sarnia had a different risk of developing asthma due to the differing air pollution levels in the three regions, even though the people living in these cities are otherwise comparable in many ways. Radhakrishnan is a Paediatric Respirologist and Director of the Asthma Program at CHEO, a paediatric health care and research centre in Ottawa.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in Canadian children and has significant impact on quality of life. Asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospital admissions in this age group.

Reassuringly, we found the asthma risk for children has reduced in more recent years as pollution levels have also decreased, added Radhakrishnan.

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Air Pollution Exposure Contributes To Childhood Asthma Population

New findings from Ontario have shown that children born in Sarnia have a higher risk of developing asthma compared to neighbouring cities.

A research team from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, using provincial data from ICES, found that higher air pollution exposure in the first year of life very likely contributed to this higher risk.

Its known that cities in Southwestern Ontario have varied levels of air pollution because of differences in industry and traffic. For example, Sarnia is home to the Chemical Valley where numerous chemical plants and oil refineries are clustered, says Dr. Dhenuka Radhakrishnan, an Adjunct ICES Scientist, formerly working out of ICES Western in London, and Pediatric Respirologist at CHEO.

We wanted to see if children born in three cities London, Windsor and Sarnia had a different risk of developing asthma due to the differing air pollution levels in the three regions, even though the people living in these cities are otherwise comparable in many ways. Dr. Radhakrishnan is a Pediatric Respirologist and Director of the Asthma Program at CHEO, a pediatric health-care and research centre in Ottawa. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in Canadian children and has significant impact on quality of life. Asthma is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospital admissions in this age group.

Family History Of Asthma

Blame Mom or Dad or both for your asthma. Your inherited genetic makeup predisposes you to having asthma. In fact, it’s thought that three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary. According to a CDC report, if a person has a parent with asthma, they are three to six times more likely to develop asthma than someone who does not have a parent with asthma.

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Electric Power Lines And Other Distribution Infrastructure Also Have A Footprint

Electricity transmission lines and the distribution infrastructure that carries electricity from power plants to customers also have environmental effects. Most transmission lines are above ground on large towers. The towers and power lines alter the visual landscape, especially when they pass through undeveloped areas. Vegetation near power lines may be disturbed and may have to be continually managed to keep it away from the power lines. These activities can affect native plant populations and wildlife. Power lines can be placed underground, but it is a more expensive option and usually not done outside of urban areas.

Should I Worry About Air Pollution In My Work Environment

Yes, but your concern should be appropriate to the type of environment you work in. If you work with certain chemicals, sprayed substances, powders or known carcinogens or allergens, your risk may be high. Occupational Health and Safety Administration , the EPA of the workplace, requires your employer to reduce your risk.

Even if you work in what seems to be a chemical-free environment, you may have exposure to indoor or outdoor air pollution. No matter how old the building is, there may be hidden indoor air pollution. Buildings may have mold spores or cockroaches. These are both powerful allergens. Dust mites are in most indoor areas. New carpet may release toxic fumes. Poorly filtered air systems may spread allergens and irritants. If they are damp, they may actually breed mold spores. If your employer allows tobacco smoking in the building, smoke may pollute the air you breathe.

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Final Thoughts About The Study Linking Severe Asthma To Air Pollution

The groundbreaking research by a team of asthma researchers found a direct link between asthma and air pollution. Specifically, a powerful strain of asthma called non-Th2 is associated with prolonged exposure to polluted air. The team found that children exposed to a fossil fuel byproduct called Benzopyrene had a higher risk of developing severe asthma.

Hopefully, this discovery will lead to more efficient, effective treatments for this asthma strain in the future. The study also adds to the growing body of evidence that its beyond time to ditch fossil fuels. Its undeniably clear by now that greenhouse gases lead to devastating consequences for the planet, animals, and us.

Definition And Principal Sources

PM is a common proxy indicator for air pollution. It affects more people than any other pollutant. The major components of PM are sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water. It consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. While particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less, can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs, the even more health-damaging particles are those with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, . PM2.5 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system. Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer.

Air quality measurements are typically reported in terms of daily or annual mean concentrations of PM10 particles per cubic meter of air volume . Routine air quality measurements typically describe such PM concentrations in terms of micrograms per cubic meter . When sufficiently sensitive measurement tools are available, concentrations of fine particles , are also reported.

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Pollution Levels And The Weather

Summer or winter, what the weathers like can make a difference to how much pollution there is hanging around.

For example:

• Unsettled, windy or blustery weather usually keeps pollution levels low.
• Pollution might affect your asthma more when its a warm, still day, especially if you also have an allergy to pollen.
• Pollution on a cold, still, foggy day might affect you more, especially if cold air also triggers your symptoms.

If youre affected by weather and pollution, try using an app or website which gives you daily forecasts of both, for example BBC weather, or the Met Office.

Take time to note down any symptoms you get, and include that days pollution levels, and weather. You might see a pattern of when your asthma gets worse, or identify which season its worse for you, says Dr Andy.

It could help you plan ahead, with your GPs help, to make sure your asthma isnt so affected.