It seems intuitive that air pollution would worsen asthma
symptoms, but I was astounded to learn some of the deeper reasons behind the
matter. Per the article from Berkeley news regarding air pollution and immune
function, air pollution is much more than just a source of inflammation. Air
pollution actually suppresses the activity of regulatory T cells, which leads
to more severe asthma symptoms by taking the “brakes” off of the immune system.
The failure of the regulatory T cells to regulate the immune response increases
asthma symptoms. Children in highly polluted areas have higher rates of asthma,
and it is no wonder. We can all do something to reduce our impact on the
environment. When I graduate and have the money, I plan to buy an electric car.
Until then, I’ve been trying to use public transportation more often to reduce
the amount of pollutants I put into the air.
Looking into the environmental risks in my area using the myRTK
tool, I found a metal foundry close to my home (AB&I Foundry) that releases
lead compounds into the air and water. It does not appear to be a significant
amount, and they have been mostly in compliance for the past three years, but
as I have learned during this class, no amount of exposure to lead is safe. There
is also a chemical compounding company close to my neighborhood about which I found
some information. They surprisingly did not release a significant amount of
pollutants into the air, and none into the water or land. There are several
pharmacies and dry cleaners scattered throughout the area as well, but without
statistics since they do not report to TRI.
In California, both the EPA and the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) set air quality standards. The CARB’s main mission is to protect
the health of the people of California from the harmful effects of pollution. This
actually brings to mind the stories in the news lately about California
attempting to pass stricter regulations on emissions and being challenged by
Trump. An article from NPR from September 24 (below) mentions the letter sent
by the EPA administrator, Andrew Wheeler, to CARB threatening to withdraw
highway funding for California unless the state is able to quickly remedy a
lack of air pollution control plans. California does not meet air quality
standards under the Clean Air Act because of many contributing factors. California
recently submitted a waiver to allow stricter car emissions standards, which
was revoked by the Trump administration. How can California improve its air
quality and meet standards when their plans to do so are rejected?
Here is the NPR article.
The articles in this module absolutely relate to my current
practice as well as my clinical rotation this semester. I currently work with
the elderly population in an outpatient clinic, and being in Alameda county, my
patients are exposed to relatively high levels of air pollution every day. According
to the American Lung Association, Alameda county currently receives an F in
ozone and particulate pollution. Particulate matter can contribute to a variety
of health effects including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, activation
of the clotting system, respiratory effects, and deactivation of regulatory T
cells. This semester I will be doing a pediatric rotation, and my preceptor
informed me that she sees a lot of children with asthma at her practice. I do
not find this surprising at all after learning what I did from the Berkeley
news article I mentioned above. The increased levels of air pollution that we
experience in the 21st century contribute to worsening asthma
symptoms. To educate patients and parents, I would point out that increased
exposure can worsen symptoms. Exercising or playing outside in areas that have
high levels of particulate matter in the air can significantly worsen asthma
symptoms. For those with more severe symptoms, I would perhaps recommend
checking the air quality each day and maybe wear an N95 mask on the days that air
quality is particularly bad.
“In 2015, diseases caused by air, water and soil pollution were responsible for 9 million premature deaths, that is 16% of all global death. Exposures to contaminated air, water and soil kill more people than smoking, hunger, natural disasters, war, AIDS, or malaria," according to the Lancet Position on Pollution and Health.
ReplyDeleteNearly all of these deaths (92%) took place in poorer nations. In wealthier nations that have worked to reduce pollution, the benefits of pollution control far outweigh the costs. According to this Commission, the global financial costs of pollution are huge, totaling “$4.6 trillion per year—6.2% of global economic output”. The study reported that in the United States, air pollution control pays off at a rate of 30-1. Every dollar invested in air pollution control generates thirty dollars of benefits. Since 1970 the U.S. has invested about $65 billion in air pollution control and received about $1.5 trillion in benefits. This is the kind of information that needs to be spread worldwide when making decisions about pollution control. Companies that learn to control these costs can outcompete those that ignore the cost impacts of pollution and wasted resources.
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2017/10/23/the-human-and-financial-cost-of-pollution/
While looking into asthma risk I found a foundation in Alameda County that looks into reducing incident of asthma in children and adult. The "Asthma Start and Healthy Homes work to meet the objectives as stated in the Strategic Plan for Asthma in California, 2014 – 2019:
ReplyDelete5A.1 Facilitate the establishment and implementation of comprehensive asthma policies and procedures in districts and schools to ensure the health and well-being of students and staff with asthma.
5A.2 Advocate for school and district implementation of, and compliance with, existing laws and regulations that impact asthma; recommend new laws/ regulations or changes to existing ones as needed.
5A.3. Increase the number of qualified personnel in schools and districts to better meet the needs of students and staff with asthma and all school visitors.
5A.4. Institute targeted and specialized trainings for district and school personnel on asthma management and indoor environmental quality in schools, to include health personnel, administrators, teachers, front office staff, coaches, maintenance/facility personnel, food preparation workers, and bus drivers.
5A.5. Minimize exposure to contaminated outdoor air and promote safe and
healthy outdoor school environments.
5A.6. Advocate for the resources, financial and otherwise, to support asthma management and healthy indoor environmental quality in schools."