Asthma and Air Pollution
The Prevalence of Asthma Associated with Air Pollution
Air pollution is the initiation of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment into the atmosphere. Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, fumes, dust, or other harmful agents. According to Morgan (2003), air pollution was not a problem until the 19th century and Industrial Revolution because pollution was readily diluted in the atmosphere (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 247). Air pollution occurs in many forms but can generally be thought of as gaseous and particulate contaminants that are present in the earth 's atmosphere (Air Pollution - Its Nature, Sources, and Effects, 2013). Natural sources of air pollution include forest fires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 249).
Air pollution can affect an individual’s health in many different ways; from short–term exacerbations of illness to long-term effects. Individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Short-term effects include ear, nose and throat irritation, and upper respiratory infections. Long-term effects include respiratory disease, lung disease, and heart disease. People who have asthma can experience complications when the air is polluted. In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution (How can air pollution hurt my health?).
Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by wheezing. Asthma is a growing public health problem (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 249). Asthma affects approximately 10 million persons and is associated with approximately 500,000 hospitalizations yearly. The prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has rapidly increased by more than 75% since 1980. This increase has been seen primarily in children and certain racial
Air pollution is the initiation of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or damages the natural environment into the atmosphere. Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, fumes, dust, or other harmful agents. According to Morgan (2003), air pollution was not a problem until the 19th century and Industrial Revolution because pollution was readily diluted in the atmosphere (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 247). Air pollution occurs in many forms but can generally be thought of as gaseous and particulate contaminants that are present in the earth 's atmosphere (Air Pollution - Its Nature, Sources, and Effects, 2013). Natural sources of air pollution include forest fires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 249).
Air pollution can affect an individual’s health in many different ways; from short–term exacerbations of illness to long-term effects. Individuals are affected by air pollution in different ways. Short-term effects include ear, nose and throat irritation, and upper respiratory infections. Long-term effects include respiratory disease, lung disease, and heart disease. People who have asthma can experience complications when the air is polluted. In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in 1952, four thousand people died in a few days due to the high concentrations of pollution (How can air pollution hurt my health?).
Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by wheezing. Asthma is a growing public health problem (Morgan, Environmental Health, 2003, p. 249). Asthma affects approximately 10 million persons and is associated with approximately 500,000 hospitalizations yearly. The prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has rapidly increased by more than 75% since 1980. This increase has been seen primarily in children and certain racial
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