Air Pollution & Human Health Flashcards
Health Impact of Air Pollution
-Threat for people with preexisting CV & lung disease.
-Cigarette smoke, vaping & motor vehicle traffic exhaust act synergistically to aggravate respiratory diseases.
-Association of motor vehicle exhaust & angina pectoris.
-Association of increased level of CO with acute myocardial infraction.
-Low-income & crowded neighborhoods near heavy traffic roads have higher prevalence of asthma.
-High ambient level of PM2.5 is associated with increased number of emergency room visits due to asthma attacks.
Air Pollution & The Respiratory System
-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
-Asthma trigger and/or exacerbation
-Lung Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD, a slowly progressive disease of the airways is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function.
In the U.S., the term COPD refers to;
-Chronic Bronchitis
-Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis
-Emphysema
~or a combination of these conditions
COPD Risk Factors in the US
1) Cigarette smoking
2) Pipe, cigar, other types
3) Second-hand smoke
4) Occupational dusts & chemicals
5) Outdoor air pollution adds burden with particles inhaled into lungs. (its role is COPD risk is being studied).
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways.
~Characterized by reversible airway obstruction & nonspecific bronchial hyper responsiveness.
Asthma Epidemiology
~1.8 million emergency room visits/year
~500,000 hospitalized for asthma/year
~ >5,000 die from asthma/year.
Asthma prevalence, morbidity & mortality are increasing.
Asthma Risk Factors
- Genetic Characteristics
- Environmental exposures that lead a person to develop asthma.
- Environmental exposures that lead a person with asthma to have an attack.
(Residents of places located near border areas, heavy traffic, are four times more likely to suffer from asthma).
Asthma Genetic Characteristics
-Some people have a genetic predisposition to react to certain allergens.
*Susceptibility for development of atopic disease appears to have familial associations & genetic components.
Social, Economical, & Cultural Factors of Asthma:
-Prevalent & severity occurs due to differences in socioeconomic or ethnic groups.
-Poverty: Lack of access to health care, geographic location, heavy traffic, etc.
-Economic, environmental, & cultural factors play a role in the disparities between high- and low-income minority children.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular Disease, individuals are at a higher risk when they have preexisting metabolic, heart, or lung disease through the effects of air pollutants.
~Arrhythmias & hypertension may rigger angina, a heart attack, or stroke.
PM & Systemic Inflammation
SLIDE 35
Cardiovascular Effects of PM Exposure
SLIDE 36
Air Pollution & Cardiovascular Disease : Morbidity
-0.3% increase of cardiovascular diseases in hospital admissions with PM levels were higher.
-Inflammation due to Pm is stronger in persons with diabetes, obesity, & hypertension.
-Association between PM & blood pressure (stronger in the presence of roadway traffic)
-Association of motor vehicle exhaust &angina pectoris as well as, CO & acute myocardial infarction.
Chronic Exposure to Air Pollutants & Cardiovascular Disease : Mechanism of Damage of Particulate Matter (PM)
LUNG INFLAMMATION
~ PM inhalation causes lung inflammation
~Generating inflammatory molecules (Cytokines), which leak into circulation..
Chronic Exposure to Air Pollutants & Cardiovascular Disease : Mechanism of Damage of Particulate Matter (PM)
LUNG TO BLOOD
~PM translocate into general circulation generating oxygen radicals, lipid oxidation
~Deposit of oxidated lipids in arterial wall (Atherogensis), vascular disfunction & systemic inflammation.
