Facts on Health Effects of Air Pollution on Children...and Everyone

Diseases and chronic conditions caused by air pollution include

• Asthma
• Allergic reactions
• Bronchitis
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Respiratory infections

Why are children's lungs affected by air pollution?

• Children take in more air per unity of body weight per a given level of exertion.
• Children are not as aware of symptoms, such a more coughing and chest discomfort, so they take fewer precautionary measures not to reduce activities on smoggy days.
• Children spend more time outside than do adults.
• Children spend less than 80% of their time indoors, while adults spend 95% of their time indoors.
• The lung has more than 40 different kinds of cells, each with roles in maintaining the body's fitness. When cells are damaged; important lung development may not reach full growth.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Health effects of air pollution are not limited to children and not limited to lung conditions. But, it is important to kow that children are at increased risk of asthma symptoms if they live in communities with higher levels of ozone. Children exposed to tobacco smoke in times of high ozone exposure double the risk of asthma emergency room visits. Other air pollution-related health effects include:

• Nose and throat irritation.
• Eye irritation and headaches
• Chest pain, difficulty taking deep breaths

Ozone

• Can damage respiratory tract and sensitive tissues in the airways
• Highest concentrations of ozone happen during times of intense sunlight

Carbon Monoxide ( CO )

Carbon Monoxide is a product of combustion. Sources of CO are:

• Auto exhaust
• Electrical power plants
• Gas ovens and burners
• Water heaters and heating systems
• Tobacco Smoke

Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide

• Flu-like symptoms
• Respiratory symptoms
• Low birth weight 
• Damage to lungs and other organs 
• Limited efficiency of oxygen taken for emphysema
• Reduced ability to perform strenuous work due to less oxygen getting to muscles
• In high levels, carbon monoxide can cause damage to the central nervous system

Particulate Matter

Particulate matter includes dust and particles,along with carbon and acid aerosols. Sources of particulate matter include:

• Power plants
• Automobiles
• Trucks
• Buses
• Acid sulfates

Health effects of particulate matter:

• Heart failure
• Lung failure
• School absence
• Increased need for asthma or COPD medications

Diesel Emissions

Sources include:

• Trucks
• Buses
• Building equipment
• Trains
• Ships
• Electricity generating equipment

Symptoms of diesel emission exposure:

• Coughing
• Phlegm
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches
• Lung inflammation

So what can you do? Well, everyone has to BREATHE!
To learn more about how you can protect your lungs and your health by protecting the environment, click here to visit our
BREATHE LA O24u Environmental Education Program.

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