Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 7-31-20

Health
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COPD
Chronic bronchitis and em- physema are common condi- tions that lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. These conditions block air flow in the lungs. Long-term exposure to gases, particles, or smoke is the main cause. Studies have shown that COPD is more common in areas where air pollution is high. If you have COPD, you may find it even harder to breathe when the air is polluted. Serious cases may mean a hospital visit or even death.
Pneumonia
Nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in air pollution boost your chances of pneumonia, or lung inflammation. Symptoms include chest pain, cough, fa- tigue, shortness of breath, and low body temperature. Children and the elderly are especially at risk. Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood death world-
wide. Older adults are especially likely to spend time in a hospital for pneumonia after long-term exposure to air pollution.
Heart Disease
Air pollution can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, ir- regular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart failure, and stroke. Tiny particles in the pollution are small enough to travel to the blood vessels and cause inflam- mation. Over time, they can make heart disease set in faster. People who live near busy streets or factories run a greater risk. But even short-term expo- sure can hurt your heart.
Mental Illness
Studies show a strong link between the quality of your air and your mental health. Re- searchers examined more than 150 million medical records in the U.S and Denmark. They found that people living in areas of the U.S. with the worst air quality had a 27% increase in the rate of bipolar disorder and
a 6% increase in major depres- sion.
Autoimmune Conditions
This is when your immune system attacks your own body. This usually damages your tis- sue and causes inflammation around your heart and lungs. Researchers think that air pol- lution triggers an immune re- sponse in your lungs that might set off certain autoimmune con- ditions. Researchers don’t know exactly how it works, but parti- cles from air pollution get into them and trigger an attack re- sponse from there.
Eye and Nose Irritation
Outdoor air pollution can cause a number of health prob- lems. But so does pollution you find indoors. Freshly painted walls can release fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that irritate your eyes and nose. New furniture or car- pet may have strong-smelling chemicals that can give you a headache or make you dizzy.
Lung Cancer
Particles in air pollution can cause lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. About 6% of deaths worldwide related to outdoor air pollution are due to lung cancer. Dirty air may play a part in other types of the disease too, such as urinary tract and blad- der cancer.
Asthma Attacks
Some pollution you can see, like smoke. Some you can’t, like carbon monoxide. Air pollution is any gas or particle that’s in the air but isn’t a natural part of it. Two main pollutants can af- fect your asthma. Ozone is a gas
that makes smog. It can affect how you breathe. Tiny particles like those in dust or smoke can get stuck in your lungs. They can damage your lungs and cause you to have more attacks.
Chronic Bronchitis
Exhaust from cars, trucks, and other vehicles pollutes the air. If you live in a city and reg- ularly breathe in traffic fumes, you may have chronic (long lasting) bronchitis. This is when the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to your lungs, get inflamed. If you have it, you may have shortness of breath and cough up thick mucus that may be white, yel-
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