ASTHMA REFERENCE SHEET--- AIR POLLUTION

JUST SOME REFERENCE FACTS:

Environmental Exposures Linked to Worsening Asthma

• “The environment plays an important role in the severity and onset of asthma. Both indoors and

outdoors, certain chemicals and biological agents (such as mold) in the air increase the risk of having

an asthma attack. Some of these contaminants may actually cause asthma to develop.”

• “People with asthma are also particularly sensitive to outdoor air pollution. Many common air pollutants,

such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (fine dust in air), irritate breathing pas-sages

and make asthma worse. Indeed, ozone, an air pollutant, has been associated with the development

of asthma in children who participate in outdoor sports. In addition, exposure to ozone or to

particulate matter from diesel exhaust multiplies the impact of allergies on asthma.”

• “Outdoors, local, regional and national efforts are necessary to address the many varied and geo-graphically

diverse sources of pollutants that worsen asthma for millions of Americans. ... There is a

strong connection between the respiratory health of children and diesel emissions.”

REFERENCE (information above excerpted from): The Asthma and Environment Connection, http://www.asthmaregion-alcouncil.

org/environment.html