Air Pollution: Rapid Onset Of Asthma Symptoms And Diagnosis

Air pollution can cause asthma and worsen symptoms in those who already have it. It can also lead to increased hospital visits and, in some cases, early death. Air pollution is the contamination of the air with substances that harm human health or the environment, such as gases, chemicals, or small particles in the air. These small particles, found in haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust, can irritate the lungs and lead to serious air quality problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution can significantly increase the risk of developing asthma, especially in young children. Short-term exposure to air pollution can also increase the risk of exacerbations of asthma symptoms.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of developing asthma in children

Young children are at an increased risk of adverse effects from exposure to air pollution, especially those growing up in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. A 2023 EPA report found that climate-driven warming is projected to increase childhood asthma incidence.

Air pollution from car and truck exhaust, coal and gas-fired power plants, wildfires, and other sources may increase a child's risk of developing asthma or triggering an asthma attack. Burning fossil fuels (for example, from power plants, cars, and trucks) produces carbon pollution that drives climate change and creates conventional air pollution, including particulate matter or PM, that can be harmful to health.

Short-term exposures to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, PM2·5, and TRAP are thought to increase the risk of exacerbations of asthma symptoms. Long-term exposures to air pollution, especially TRAP and its surrogate, nitrogen dioxide, can contribute to new-onset asthma in both children and adults.

Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks in people who already have asthma

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with substances that harm human health or the environment. These substances can be gases, chemicals, or small particles in the air. Small particles, found in haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust can lead to serious air quality problems. These particles can irritate the airways and make asthma worse.

Breathing in polluted air can cause asthma attacks in people who already have asthma. Young children with asthma are at an increased risk of adverse effects from exposure to air pollution, especially those growing up in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Short-term exposure to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, PM2.5, and TRAP is thought to increase the risk of exacerbations of asthma symptoms. Long-term exposure to air pollution, especially TRAP and its surrogate, nitrogen dioxide, can contribute to new-onset asthma in both children and adults.

Burning fossil fuels, for example, from power plants, cars, and trucks, produces carbon pollution that drives climate change and creates conventional air pollution, including particulate matter or PM, that can be harmful to health.

Air pollution can increase the risk of an early death for people with asthma

Small airborne particles, found in haze, smoke, soot, and airborne dust can lead to serious air quality problems. These particles are called "particulate matter" or PM, and the smallest particles (PM2.5) are the most dangerous. They can irritate the airways and make asthma worse. Particle pollution can cause early death and heart attacks, strokes and emergency room visits.

People with asthma are at greater risk from breathing in small particles and irritating gases. They can irritate the airways and make asthma worse. Anyone can feel the effects of air pollution, but people with asthma are at a greater risk. Young children with asthma, especially those growing up in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, are at increased risk of adverse effects from exposures to air pollution.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can significantly increase the risk of a child developing asthma, especially in young children. Burning fossil fuels (for example, from power plants, cars, and trucks) produces carbon pollution that drives climate change and creates conventional air pollution, including particulate matter or PM, that can be harmful to health.

Young children with asthma are at an increased risk of adverse effects from exposure to air pollution

Children are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of air pollution, especially those growing up in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. A 2023 EPA report found that climate-driven warming is projected to increase childhood asthma incidence. Exposure to air pollution during the first three years of life may increase the risk for asthma in early childhood. Children living in low socio-economy areas may be more susceptible.

Air pollution from car and truck exhaust, coal and gas-fired power plants, wildfires, and other sources may increase a child's risk of developing asthma or triggering an asthma attack. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon pollution that drives climate change and creates conventional air pollution, including particulate matter or PM, that can be harmful to health.

Short-term exposures to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, PM2·5, and TRAP are thought to increase the risk of exacerbations of asthma symptoms. Long-term exposures to air pollution, especially TRAP and its surrogate, nitrogen dioxide, can contribute to new-onset asthma in both children and adults.

Air pollution from car and truck exhaust, coal and gas-fired power plants, and wildfires may increase the risk of developing asthma

Air pollution is the contamination of the air with substances that harm human health or the environment. These substances can be gases, chemicals, or small particles in the air. When breathed in, these particles can irritate the lungs and airways, making asthma worse in those who already have it and increasing the risk of developing asthma in those who don't.

Long-term exposure to air pollution can significantly increase the risk of a child developing asthma, especially in young children. This is because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe at a faster rate, increasing their exposure to air pollutants that can damage their lungs. In addition, young children with asthma, especially those growing up in economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, are at an increased risk of adverse effects from exposure to air pollution.

Wildfire smoke is particularly toxic to children's lungs. Increases in emergency healthcare visits were 10 times higher for air pollution from wildfire smoke than from other air pollution sources.

To protect yourself from the harmful effects of air pollution, it is recommended to plan indoor activities on days when the air quality is poor (101 or higher). Small changes to your home, such as removing or reducing allergens, preventing mould growth, and avoiding scented products, can also improve your health.

Frequently asked questions