Air Pollution's Impact On Asthma: A Health Warning

Air pollution can cause asthma and other lung diseases. It can also worsen asthma symptoms, leading to increased hospital visits, and can even cause early death.

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with harmful substances, such as gases, chemicals, or small particles. These pollutants can irritate the airways and make asthma worse.

People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases. Pollutants in the air can irritate the airways, making them swell and tighten up, and cause breathing problems.

Ozone, a gas, is one of the most common air pollutants. It is helpful in the upper atmosphere but causes problems when found closer to the ground in the air we breathe. Ground-level ozone is part of smog and is most common in cities with more cars and the use of fossil fuels.

Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane are other gases that can affect health and the environment. These gases come from burning fuels, emissions from cars, trucks, and power plants.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Evidence suggests that air pollution has a negative impact on asthma outcomes in both adult and paediatric populations.

The best way to manage asthma is to avoid triggers, take medications to prevent symptoms, and prepare to treat asthma episodes if they occur.

Air pollution can cause asthma and other lung diseases

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with harmful substances, such as gases, chemicals, or small particles. These pollutants can be inhaled and get into the lungs and blood, causing serious health problems.

Small airborne particles, found in haze, smoke, soot, and dust, can lead to serious air quality problems. These particles are called "particulate matter" and the smallest particles (PM2.5) are the most dangerous as they can get deep into the lungs or even the bloodstream.

Ozone is a common air pollutant that is helpful in the upper atmosphere but harmful when found in the air we breathe. Ground-level ozone is part of "smog" and is associated with worsening respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are also harmful gases that can be found in smog. Breathing in NO2 can cause someone to develop asthma and worsen lung disease. SO2 can harm the lungs and lead to health problems.

People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases as they can irritate the airways and make asthma worse.

Several studies have shown a link between air pollution and asthma. For example, a study in North Carolina found that low levels of outdoor ozone were associated with respiratory changes and other outcomes in African American children with difficult-to-treat asthma. Another study from Johns Hopkins University found that children exposed to outdoor coarse particulate matter were more likely to develop asthma and need emergency treatment.

Additionally, air pollution may impact DNA associated with asthma. A recent study found that short-term and long-term exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and PM2.5 were associated with alterations in two genes involved in immune tolerance, which were significantly associated with asthma.

Overall, air pollution is a significant risk factor for asthma development and exacerbation, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms, leading to increased hospital visits

Air pollution is a mixture of gases and particles that can be harmful to human health and the environment. It is a well-known trigger for asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that affects the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Asthma is characterised by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation.

Air pollution can irritate the airways, making them swell and tighten up and cause breathing problems. Pollutants can also make individuals more susceptible to upper respiratory infections, which can trigger asthma symptoms.

Ozone, a common air pollutant, is particularly harmful to people with asthma. It is a highly reactive gas that irritates the lungs and airways. Ground-level ozone is often a component of smog and is more common in cities with higher levels of car usage and fossil fuel consumption. Other harmful gases include nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane.

Particulate matter, such as haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust, can also lead to serious air quality problems. These small particles can get deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. Exposure to such pollutants can cause difficulty in breathing, decreased lung growth in children, reduced lung function, and the need for emergency asthma treatment.

People with asthma are at a greater risk of adverse health effects from air pollution. This includes increased hospital visits and emergency treatment for asthma. Certain groups, such as children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and people with low incomes, are also more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.

To manage asthma effectively, it is essential to avoid triggers, take medications, and be prepared to treat asthma episodes. Reducing exposure to air pollution is crucial for people with asthma, especially during periods of high air pollution. This can be achieved by limiting outdoor activities, staying indoors, and using air conditioning.

Global measures to reduce exposure to air pollutants are necessary to improve asthma outcomes and management. This includes implementing strategies to reduce emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by variable airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation

Air pollution is a mixture of gases and particles in the air. It can be caused by natural sources, such as wildfires, or human activity, such as burning fossil fuels.

Outdoor air pollution can be caused by:

• Traffic-related air pollution
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
• Sulphur dioxide
• Particulate matter
• Ozone

Indoor air pollution can be caused by:

• Tobacco smoke
• Wood-burning and unflued gas heaters
• Cooking behaviours (using wood or coal)
• Moulds

Air pollution can increase the risk of getting asthma or worsen symptoms if you already have asthma

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with harmful substances, such as gases, chemicals, or small particles. These particles can be found in haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust. The smallest particles, known as "particulate matter," can get deep into the lungs or even the bloodstream.

People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases, which can irritate the airways and make asthma worse. Ozone, a common air pollutant, is particularly irritating to the lungs and airways and is associated with worsening respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Who is Most at Risk?

While anyone can feel the effects of air pollution, people with asthma are at a greater risk. Other groups that are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution include:

• People with lung or heart disease
• People who work or exercise outdoors
• Pregnant individuals and their fetuses
• People who live near sources of pollution, such as busy roadways or industrial facilities
• People with lower incomes
• Black, Hispanic, and Native American/Indigenous communities

How to Reduce Risk and Manage Asthma:

To reduce the risk of developing asthma or worsening asthma symptoms, it is important to limit exposure to air pollution. This can be done by:

• Checking air quality reports and limiting outdoor activities on days with high pollution levels
• Staying indoors in well-ventilated or air-conditioned buildings when pollution levels are high
• Avoiding outdoor exercise or strenuous work when air quality is poor
• Using air purifiers or filters to improve indoor air quality
• Reducing exposure to indoor air pollution, such as allergens, volatile organic compounds, and tobacco smoke

Additionally, managing asthma through medication and avoiding triggers can help reduce the impact of air pollution. This includes taking medications to prevent symptoms and preparing to treat asthma episodes if they occur.

People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases

Air pollution can cause asthma and other lung diseases. It can also worsen asthma symptoms, leading to increased hospital visits and even early death. People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases. These particles and gases can irritate the airways and make asthma worse.

Ozone, a gas, is one of the most common air pollutants. It is helpful in the upper atmosphere but causes problems when it is found closer to the ground in the air we breathe. Ground-level ozone is part of "smog" or haze. It is most common in cities where there are more cars and use of fossil fuels. It is also more common in the summer when there is more sunlight, heat, and low winds. Ground-level ozone is created by chemical reactions between emissions of burning fuel emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heat, and sunlight. It is associated with worsening respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ozone triggers asthma because it is very irritating to the lungs and airways.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes from burning fuels. It also forms from emissions from cars, trucks, other vehicles, and power plants. Breathing in NO2 can cause someone to develop asthma. It can worsen lung disease, especially asthma.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) comes from burning fossil fuels, transportation, volcanoes, and industrial processes. It can be found in smog or haze. SO2 can harm plants (including trees). It can harm your lungs and lead to health problems.

Carbon monoxide (CO) forms from incomplete combustion of fuels and wood. It has no smell. It can be very dangerous when it builds up inside buildings, homes, and cars.

Anyone can feel the effects of air pollution, but people with asthma are at a greater risk.

Frequently asked questions