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Outdoor Air Quality

Outdoor air quality can negatively affect health. Air pollution has been linked to many health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and breathing problems. Two types of air pollution are ozone and particle pollution. People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy. The term often used to describe particles is "particulate matter" and is abbreviated as PM. The diameter of the particle in microns (a micron is a unit of measurement for distance; there are about 25,000 microns in an inch) typically follows to indicate how small the particle is: PM10 means that the particle is ten microns or less in width and PM2.5 (also called "fine particle") means that a particle is two and one half microns or less in width, for example. Examples of particle pollution include dust, dirt, soot and smoke. The composition of these particles can vary based on location, season, and whether they are from primary or secondary sources. Being exposed to high amount of particle pollution for more than a year is linked to heart and lung problems
Scientists have done many studies which have linked ground-level ozone exposure to a variety of problems such as:
  • Airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath.
  • Wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities.
  • Inflammation of the airways.
  • Aggravation of asthma and a higher chance of getting respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis.
According to the published literature, air pollution has been associated with premature death; increased rates of hospitalization for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions; adverse birth outcomes; and lung cancer 12. Air pollution places a large economic burden on the country. In a report prepared for the American Lung Association, Cannon (1990) estimated that air pollution-related illness costs approximately $100 billion dollars (1988 dollars) each year in the United States, with an estimated number of excess deaths ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 per year (Dockery and Pope 1994). More than half of the U.S. population, or approximately 159 million Americans, live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution in the form of either ozone or particulate matter.3

1. Cannon J. 1990. The Health Costs of Air Pollution: A Survey of Studies Published 1984 1989. New York: American Lung Association.
2. Dockery DW, Pope CA. 1994. Acute respiratory effects of particulate air pollution. Annu Rev Public Health 15:107-132.
3. ALA (American Lung Association). 2004. State of the Air 2004. Available: http://lungaction.org/reports/sota04_full.html.

Ozone

Ozone is a gas that you cannot see or smell. "Good" ozone occurs naturally in the sky about 10 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface. It forms a layer that protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful rays. Ground-level ozone is also called "bad" ozone because it is harmful to human health when it is in the air we breathe. This ozone is formed from the reaction of NOx and VOC pollutants when exposed to heat and sunlight. Many urban areas, like big cities, tend to have higher levels of bad ozone. Rural areas have bad ozone, too, because the wind carries ozone and the pollutants that cause it to form hundreds of miles away from their original sources. Studies have shown that being exposed to bad ozone can:
  • Cause respiratory symptoms like coughing or pain when you take a deep breath.
  • Aggravate asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
  • Cause lungs to get inflamed.
  • Temporarily decrease the lung capacity of healthy adults.
  • Permanently scar lung tissue when it is breathed in at high levels over long periods of time

Particle Pollution Or Particulate Matter

Particle pollution, or particulate matter, consists of particles that are present in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke, and little droplets of liquid. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen, like soot, smoke, and dust. Other particles are too small to be seen. Being exposed to high levels of particle pollution for more than a year is linked to heart and lung problems such as:
  • Breathing problems.
  • Reduced lung function.
  • Chronic bronchitis.
  • Heart and other cardiovascular diseases.
These problems may lead to more hospital stays, more emergency department visits, and even premature death. Sensitive people such as older adults, people with diseases like asthma or congestive heart disease, and children are more likely to be affected by breathing in PM2.5 (also called fine particle pollution). Being exposed to high levels of particle pollution for short periods of time, like hours or a few days, can:
  • Make lung disease worse.
  • Cause asthma attacks.
  • Make it easier to develop bronchitis.
  • Make it easier for people to get respiratory infections.
In people with heart disease, inhaling high levels of PM2.5 for a short time has been linked to heart attacks and irregular heartbeats. Short-term exposure has also been linked with premature deaths, usually in people who already have a serious chronic health problem such as lung or heart disease. Healthy children and adults usually do not develop serious problems from short-term exposure to high levels of particle pollution. They may have minor problems, however, like a scratchy throat or scratchy eyes, when particle levels are high.

NO2

NO2 is an air pollutant that is generated from vehicle and machinery emissions. These particles contribute to acid rain, as well as the dense haze that may be seen in urban areas. When exposed to light and heat, such as on a summer day in New Mexico, NO2 reacts with VOC particles to generate ozone. For humans, short term exposure can aggravate asthma or cause respiratory distress even in non asthmatics, increasing emergency department visits. Chronic exposure is associated with increased risk of asthma and respiratory infections
People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors can be negatively affected when ozone, PM or NO2 levels are high. In people with heart diseases, short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 has been linked to heart attacks and irregular heartbeats. Short-term exposure has also been linked with premature deaths, usually in people who already have a serious chronic health problem such as lung or heart disease. Healthy children and adults usually do not develop serious problems from short-term exposure to high levels of particle pollution. They may have minor problems, like a scratchy throat or scratchy eyes, when particle levels are high.
If you have asthma, a chronic lung disease, or cardiovascular disease, smoke exposure can aggravate these conditions. People with heart or lung disease should follow their health management plan from their health care provider. People with asthma should follow a prescribed asthma management plan. Follow your doctor's advice about medicines if you have asthma or another lung disease. In smoky conditions, if you develop symptoms which do not respond to your usual medication, see your health care provider immediately. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen. Prolonged exposure to smoke of all kinds is harmful to people of all ages.
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Content updated: Wed, 15 Jan 2020 13:35:09 MST