DOCSLIB.ORG

Air Pollution and Health What Is Air Pollution? Air Pollution Is the Name for the Mixture of Substances in the Atmosphere (The Air Around Us That We Breathe)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Air Pollution and Health What Is Air Pollution? Air Pollution Is the Name for the Mixture of Substances in the Atmosphere (The Air Around Us That We Breathe) AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY PATIENT HEALTH SERIES Air Pollution and Health What is air pollution? Air pollution is the name for the mixture of substances in the atmosphere (the air around us that we breathe). Air pollution can cause health problems, by inhaling particles, such as reactive chemicals like ozone, and biological materials like pollens. Air pollution is produced both by human activity (such as combustion of fossil fuels from burning coal) and naturally occurring events (such as volcanoes, dust storms, and wild fires). Author: It is important to remember that; air ■ Seek care for proper management of John R. Balmes, MD, lung and heart conditions on behalf of the pollution is a mixture of many agents, Environmental and can come from many sources, and varies Occupational Health Assembly depending on weather conditions. While What problems might I have if air many pollutants can a!ect our health, pollution is a!ecting me? www.thoracic.org ATS Patient Health Series ozone and particulate matter (soot) have a You may experience any of the following ©2011 American Thoracic Society major impact on the public’s health. Ozone problems. can cause chest discomfort, decreases in ■ Chest discomfort like trouble taking lung function, and airway inflammation a deep breath or feeling like you are (i.e., irritation and injury to the tissue having a heart attack lining the airways). People with asthma ■ Shortness of breath can develop breathing problems after ■ Phlegm/mucus production exposure to ozone. Particulate matter (PM) ■ A cough where you may or may not also can cause respiratory problems, and bring up mucus has been shown to increase the risk of ■ Wheezing which may worsen with heart problems in older people, especially activity those with a prior history of heart disease. ■ Decreased lung function on breathing Exposures to both ozone and PM have tests, electrocardiogram (ECG) been shown to increase the risk of changes, including irregular heart beat premature death. (arrhythmias) or changes showing your heart is being damaged (ischemia). How can I prevent the health e!ects of air pollution? How can I prevent the health There are several things that you can do to e!ects of air pollution? reduce air pollution in and around your home Reduce your exposure to air pollution by and the areas where you live and work. following the warnings given during “smog” ■ Advocate for stricter air quality alerts, especially if you or your child have regulations. conditions such as asthma or ischemic heart ■ Decrease your personal contribution disease. to air pollution by reducing energy ■ Stay indoors on smoggy days consumption through the use of cleaner, ■ Keep windows closed and use air more e"cient appliances in your home. conditioning on hot, smoggy days ■ Use public or active (walking or ■ Use your asthma and heart medications as bicycling) transportation. directed to treat attacks on smoggy days ■ Avoid heavy exercise near busy roadways or on smoggy days When should I contact my ■ Eat a healthy diet that contains fruits healthcare provider? and vegetables high in antioxidants Get immediate help if your breathing (shown to prevent the health e!ects of suddenly gets worse or you have symptoms pollutants like ozone) of a heart attack or heart problems..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Updated 2010
    RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE, UPDATED 2010 American College of Physicians A Position Paper 2010 Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care A Summary of a Position Paper Approved by the ACP Board of Regents, April 2010 What Are the Sources of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care? The Institute of Medicine defines disparities as “racial or ethnic differences in the quality of health care that are not due to access-related factors or clinical needs, preferences, and appropriateness of intervention.” Racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive poorer quality care compared with nonminorities, even when access-related factors, such as insurance status and income, are controlled. The sources of racial and ethnic health care disparities include differences in geography, lack of access to adequate health coverage, communication difficulties between patient and provider, cultural barriers, provider stereotyping, and lack of access to providers. In addition, disparities in the health care system contribute to the overall disparities in health status that affect racial and ethnic minorities. Why is it Important to Correct These Disparities? The problem of racial and ethnic health care disparities is highlighted in various statistics: • Minorities have less access to health care than whites. The level of uninsurance for Hispanics is 34% compared with 13% among whites. • Native Americans and Native Alaskans more often lack prenatal care in the first trimester. • Nationally, minority women are more likely to avoid a doctor’s visit due to cost. • Racial and ethnic minority Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with dementia are 30% less likely than whites to use antidementia medications.
    [Show full text]
  • Soil Contamination and Human Health: a Major Challenge For
    Soil contamination and human health : A major challenge for global soil security Florence Carre, Julien Caudeville, Roseline Bonnard, Valérie Bert, Pierre Boucard, Martine Ramel To cite this version: Florence Carre, Julien Caudeville, Roseline Bonnard, Valérie Bert, Pierre Boucard, et al.. Soil con- tamination and human health : A major challenge for global soil security. Global Soil Security Sympo- sium, May 2015, College Station, United States. pp.275-295, 10.1007/978-3-319-43394-3_25. ineris- 01864711 HAL Id: ineris-01864711 https://hal-ineris.archives-ouvertes.fr/ineris-01864711 Submitted on 30 Aug 2018 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Human Health as another major challenge of Global Soil Security Florence Carré, Julien Caudeville, Roseline Bonnard, Valérie Bert, Pierre Boucard, Martine Ramel Abstract This chapter aimed to demonstrate, by several illustrated examples, that Human Health should be considered as another major challenge of global soil security by emphasizing the fact that (a) soil contamination is a worldwide issue, estimations can be done based on local contamination but the extent and content of diffuse contamination is largely unknown; (b) although soil is able to store, filter and reduce contamination, it can also transform and make accessible soil contaminants and their metabolites, contributing then to human health impacts.
    [Show full text]
  • What's in the Air Gets Around Poster
    Air pollution comes AIR AWARENESS: from many sources, Our air contains What's both natural & manmade. a combination of different gasses: OZONE (GOOD) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, in the is a gas that occurs forest fires, vehicle exhaust, naturally in the upper plus 1% from carbon dioxide, volcanic emissions smokestack emissions atmosphere. It filters water vapor, and other gasses. the sun's ultraviolet rays and protects AIRgets life on the planet from the Air moves around burning Around! when the wind blows. rays. Forests can be harmed when nutrients are drained out of the soil by acid rain, and trees can't Air grow properly. pollution ACID RAIN Water The from one place can forms when sulfur cause problems oxides and nitrogen oxides falls from 1 air is in mix with water vapor in the air. constant motion many miles from clouds that form where it Because wind moves the air, acid in the air. Pollutants around the earth (wind). started. rain can fall hundreds of miles from its AIR MONITORING: and tiny bits of soil are As it moves, it absorbs source. Acid rain can make lakes so acidic Scientists check the quality of carried with it to the water from lakes, rivers that plants and animals can't live in the water. our air every day and grade it using the Air Quality Index (AQI). ground below. and oceans, picks up soil We can check the daily AQI on the from the land, and moves Internet or from local 2 pollutants in the air. news sources. Greenhouse gases, sulfur oxides and Earth's nitrogen oxides are added to the air when coal, oil and natural gas are CARS, TRUCKS burned to provide Air energy.
    [Show full text]
  • Different Perspectives for Assigning Weights to Determinants of Health
    COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS WORKING PAPER DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES FOR ASSIGNING WEIGHTS TO DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Bridget C. Booske Jessica K. Athens David A. Kindig Hyojun Park Patrick L. Remington FEBRUARY 2010 Table of Contents Summary .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Historical Perspective ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Review of the Literature ................................................................................................................................... 4 Weighting Schemes Used by Other Rankings ............................................................................................... 5 Analytic Approach ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Pragmatic Approach .......................................................................................................................................... 8 References ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Appendix 1: Weighting in Other Rankings .................................................................................................. 11 Appendix 2: Analysis of 2010 County Health Rankings Dataset ............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Family Planning and the Environment
    FAMILY PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENT STABILIZING POPULATION WOULD HELP SUSTAIN THE PLANET Because everyone counts ABOUT HALF THE EARTH’s biological people’s needs and that face the greatest production capacity has already been di- population growth. verted to human use. Life-supporting eco- z Since the 1960s, fertility in de- systems are affected everywhere by the veloping countries has been reduced planet’s 6.7 billion people, which is pro- from an average of six births per jected to reach at least 9.2 billion by 2050. woman to three, thanks primarily to The links between population the use of contraceptives. However, UNFPA, the United Nations and environmental quality are com- in 56 developing countries, the poorest plex and varied. Understanding them women still average six births, compared Population Fund, is an requires knowledge of consumption rates to 3.2 for the wealthiest. that differ between the rich and the poor, international development z The wealthiest countries, with less than of new and old technologies, of resource 20 per cent of earth’s population and the agency that promotes the extraction and restoration, and of the dy- slowest population growth, account for 86 namics of population growth and migration. right of every woman, man percent of natural resource consumption– Humans are depleting natural re- much of it wasteful–and produce the ma- and child to enjoy a life of sources, degrading soil and water, and cre- jority of the pollution and carbon dioxide. ating waste at an alarming rate, even as health and equal opportunity. z At the other extreme, the depletion of new technology raises crop yields, con- natural resources is occurring most rapidly serves resources and cleans up pollution.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Air Quality for Operators of Mobile Machines in Underground Mines
    atmosphere Article Improving Air Quality for Operators of Mobile Machines in Underground Mines Andrzej Szczurek 1, Monika Maciejewska 1,*, Marcin Przybyła 2 and Wacław Szetelnicki 2 1 Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrze˙zeWyspia´nskiego27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland; [email protected] 2 Centrum Bada´nJako´scisp. zo. o., ul. M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 62, 59-301 Lubin, Poland; [email protected] (M.P.); [email protected] (W.S.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +48-7132-028-68 Received: 12 November 2020; Accepted: 9 December 2020; Published: 18 December 2020 Abstract: In underground mines, mobile mining equipment is critical for the production system. The microenvironment inside the mobile machine may cause exposure to strongly polluted mine air, which adversely affects the health and working performance of the operator. Harmful pollutants may access the cabin together with the ventilation air delivered from the machine’s surroundings. This work proposes a solution that is able to ensure that the air for the machine operator is of proper quality. The proposal emerged from an analysis of the compliance of cabins of mobile machines working underground in mines with occupational health and safety (H&S) standards. An analytical model of air quality in a well-mixed zone was utilized for this purpose. The cabin atmosphere was investigated with regard to the concentration of gaseous species in the surrounding air, the cabin ventilation rate, and human breathing parameters. The analysis showed that if currently available ventilation approaches are used, compliance with multiple H&S standards cannot be attained inside the cabin if standards are exceeded in the surroundings of the machine.
    [Show full text]
  • What the Public Thinks About Menatl Health and Mental Illness
    What the Public Thinks about Mental Health and ~entaleI1lness A paper presented by Shirley A. Star, Senior Study Director National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago to the Annual Meeting The National Association for Mental Health, Inc. November 19, 1952 For the past two and a half years, the National Opinion Research Center has been engaged upon a pioneering study of the-American public's thinking in the field of mental health, under the joint sponsorship of the National Association for Mental Health and the National Institute of Mental Health, It is a vast and ambitious project, and I'm afraid that the title which has been assigned to my remarks about .the study is going to prove to be misleading in at least two ways. In the first place, and this must be obvious, both the title given me and the scope of the study cover Ear more ground than I could possibly present in the course of one afternoon. About all I can do today is hit a few of the high spots in public thinking and emphasize beforehand that the study aims to be inclusive. You can pretty well assume that it contains some information on just about any question in the area you might raise, even though I don't refer to many of them. So, as they say in the more enterprising shops--"If you don't see what you want, ask for it," In the second place, and this is more serious, I am in the em- barrassing position of having to stand here this afternoon and honestly- -2- admit that I don1t -know what the public thinks as yet.
    [Show full text]
  • Indoor Air Quality
    Indoor Air Quality Poor indoor air quality can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, headache, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or other breathing problems or who have allergies may have severe reactions. Common Indoor Air Pollutants Poor indoor air quality comes from many sources, including: » Tobacco smoke » Mold » Pollen » Allergens such as those from cats, dogs, mice, dust mites, and cockroaches » Smoke from fireplaces and woodstoves » Formaldehyde in building materials, textiles, and furniture » Carbon monoxide from gas furnaces, ovens, and other appliances » Use of household products such as cleaners and bug sprays » Outdoor air pollution from factories, vehicles, wildfires, and other sources How to Improve Indoor Air Quality » Open windows to let in fresh air. • However, if you have asthma triggered by outdoor air pollution or pollen, opening windows might not be a good idea. In this case, use exhaust fans and non-ozone-producing air cleaners to reduce exposure to these triggers. » Clean often to get rid of dust, pet fur, and other allergens. • Use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. • Wet or damp mopping is better than sweeping. » Take steps to control mold and pests. » Do not smoke, and especially do not smoke indoors. If you think poor indoor air is making you sick, please see or call a doctor or other health care provider. About CDC CDC is a federal public health agency based in Atlanta, GA. Our mission is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability. For More Information We want to help you to stay healthy.
    [Show full text]
  • Fundamentals of Public Health Nutrition (3 Credit Hours) Fall: 2018 Delivery Format: E-Learning in Canvas
    University of Florida College of Public Health & Health Professions Syllabus PHC 6521: Fundamentals of Public Health Nutrition (3 credit hours) Fall: 2018 Delivery Format: E-Learning in Canvas Instructor Name: Dr. von Castel Room Number: FSHN 227 Phone Number: 352 Email Address: [email protected] *****PLEASE USE THIS NOT CANVAS ​ ​ Office Hours: by appointment via phone,conferences (in canvas) or Lync(Microsoft) Preferred Course Communications: email through ufl.edu Prerequisites None ​ PURPOSE AND OUTCOME Public health nutrition involves the promotion of health through nutrition and the prevention of nutrition related disease in a population. It focuses on improving the food choices, dietary intake, and nutritional status at the community, regional, or national level. The public health nutrition professional works to assess nutritional problems and needs by considering environmental causes, identifying intervention points, developing policies and programs to intervene at those points, implementing the policies or programs, and evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention. Course Overview This course will provide an introduction to Public Health Nutrition and the role of the Public Health Nutrition professional. Emphasis will be on definition, identification and prevention of nutrition related disease, as well as improving health of a population by improving nutrition. Malnutrition will be discussed on a societal, economic, and environmental level. It will include the basics of nutritional biochemistry as it relates to malnutrition of a community and targeted intervention. Finally, it will review existing programs and policies, including strengths, weaknesses and areas for modification or new interventions. Relation to Program Outcomes MPH Competencies covered 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Core Principles to Reframe Mental and Behavioral Health Policy 2
    Getty Images / Maskot Core Principles to Reframe Mental and Behavioral Health Policy January 2021 Historic and modern-day policies rooted in discrimination and oppression have created and widened harmful inequities impacting many communities of color. Effectively and equitably addressing mental health requires intervening at systemic and policy levels to dismantle the structures that produce negative outcomes like generational poverty, intergenerational and cultural trauma, racism, sexism, and ableism. Changing social, economic, and physical environments alongside key mental and behavioral health supports through immediate relief and longer-term fixes impact individual and community mental health and wellbeing. An individual’s mental health is impacted by and informs nearly every aspect of their life, identity, and community. CLASP looks at how one’s social, economic, and physical environment impact individual and community views of mental health and wellbeing. To improve mental health outcomes, we must think about an individual and family’s economic security, family support, and their community’s built environment. CLASP recognizes the influence of intergenerational and cultural trauma on communities and believes that all mental and behavioral health practices should be trauma-informed and healing- centered. Policymakers must significantly reform and reimagine systems that support the wellbeing of people with low incomes. This includes, but is not exclusive to: • Universal health coverage, as noted in our health care principles; • Recognizing
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring of Airborne Contamination Using Mobile Equipment
    STUK-A130 FEBRUARY 1996 9- Monitoring of Airborne Contamination Using Mobile Equipment T. Honkamaa, H. Toivonen, M. Nikkinen 1 0 r 1 v. f STUK-A130 FEBRUARY 1996 Monitoring of Airborne Contamination Using Mobile Equipment T. Honkamaa, H. Toivonen, M. Nikkinen FINNISH CENTRE FOR RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY P.O.BOX 14 FIN-00881 HELSINKI Finland Tel. +358 0 759881 NEXT PAGE(S) left BLANK FINNISH CENTRE FOR RADIATION STUK-A130 AND NUCLEAR SAFETY T. Honkamaa, H. Toivonen, M. Nikkinen. Monitoring of Airborne Contamination Using Mobile Equipment. Helsinki 1996, 65 pp. ISBN 951-712-094-X ISSN 0781-1705 Key words Radioactive particles, in-field gamma-ray spectrometry, emergency preparedness ABSTRACT Rapid and accurate measurements must be carried out in a nuclear disaster that releases radioactive material into the atmosphere. To evaluate the risk to the people, .external dose rate and nuclide-specific activity concentrations in air must be determined. The Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (STUK) has built an emergency vehicle to accomplish these tasks in the field. The present paper describes the systems and methods to determine the activity concentration in air. Airborne particulate sampling and gamma-ray spectrometric analysis are quantitative and sensitive tools to evaluate the nuclide-specific concentrations in air. The vehicle is equipped with a pump sampler which sucks air through a glassfiber filter (flow about 10 1 s"1). Representative sampling of airborne particles from a moving vehicle is a demanding task. According to the calculations the total collection efficiency in calm air is 60 -140% for the particle size range of 0.1 - 30 um.
    [Show full text]
  • People and the Planet: Lessons for a Sustainable Future. INSTITUTION Zero Population Growth, Inc., Washington, D.C
    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 409 188 SE 060 352 AUTHOR Wasserman, Pamela, Ed. TITLE People and the Planet: Lessons for a Sustainable Future. INSTITUTION Zero Population Growth, Inc., Washington, D.C. REPORT NO ISBN-0-945219-12-1 PUB DATE 96 NOTE 210p. AVAILABLE FROM Zero Population Growth, Inc., 1400 16th Street N.W., Suite 320, Washington, DC 20036, e-mail: [email protected] PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Teacher (052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC09 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Conservation (Environment); Elementary Secondary Education; *Environmental Education; Natural Resources; Pollution; Population Trends; Sustainable Development; Teaching Guides IDENTIFIERS *Environmental Action; Environmental Awareness ABSTRACT This activity guide is designed to develop students' understanding of the interdependence of people and the environment as well as the interdependence connecting members of the global family. It is both an environmental education curriculum and a global studies resource suitable for middle school science, social studies, math, language arts, and family life education classrooms. The readings and activities contained in this book are designed to broaden students' knowledge of trends and connections among population change, natural resource use, global economics, gender equity, and community health. This knowledge combined with the critical thinking skills developed in each activity will help students explore their roles as global citizens and environmental stewards. The book is divided into four parts: (1) Understanding Population Dynamics;(2) People, Resources, and the Environment; (3) Issues for the Global Family; and (4) You and Your Community. Also included is a list of activities grouped by themes including air/water pollution and climate change, carrying capacity, environmental and social ethics, family size decisions, future studies, land use issues, natural resource use, population dynamics and trends, resource distribution/inequities, solid waste management, and sustainability.
    [Show full text]