Air Pollutants that Trigger Asthma Particulate Matter: This term refers to a wide range of pollutants -- including dust, soot, fly ash, diesel exhaust particles, wood smoke and sulfate aerosols -- which are suspended as tiny particles in the air. Some of these fine particles can become lodged in the lungs and could trigger asthma attacks. Studies have shown that the number of hospitalizations for asthma increases when levels of particulate matter in the air rise. Coal-fired power plants, factories, and diesel vehicles are major sources of particulate pollution. Around 44 million people live in areas that fail to meet national air quality standards for particulate matter. Ground Level Ozone: A toxic component of smog, ozone triggers asthma attacks and makes existing asthma worse. It may also lead to the development of asthma in children. Ozone is typically produced when pollution from cars and trucks or industrial smokestacks reacts with oxygen and sunlight. Ground level ozone is a serious problem in cities with lots of traffic, such as Los Angeles, Houston and New York City. In 2013, according to the American Lung Association, nearly four in 10 people in the United States (38 percent) lived in areas with unhealthful levels of ozone. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ): A respiratory irritant associated with the onset of asthma attacks, sulfur dioxide is produced when coal and crude oil are burned. Coal-fired power plants, particularly older plants that burn coal without SO2 pollution controls, are the worst SO2 polluters. 8.1 million Americans lives within 3 miles of a coal-fired power plant. Oil refineries and diesel engines that burn high-sulfur fuel also release large amounts of SO2 into the air. Particulate Matter: This term refers to a wide range of pollutants -- dust, soot, fly ash, diesel exhaust particles, wood smoke and sulfate aerosols -- which are suspended as tiny particles in the air. Some of these fine particles can become lodged in the lungs and could trigger asthma attacks. Studies have shown that the number of hospitalizations for asthma increases when levels of particulate matter in the air rise. Coal-fired power plants, factories and diesel vehicles are major sources of particulate pollution. Around 81 million people live in areas that fail to meet national air quality standards for particulate matter. Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): A gas emitted from tailpipes and power plants, nitrogen oxide contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog. It also reacts with other air pollutants to form small particles that can cause breathing difficulties, especially in people with asthma. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide early in life could increase risk of developing asthma. Watching Out for Bad Air Days
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:17:37 +0000
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