Asthma in Children and Adults

Airborne Pollutants Have Adverse Effects

Why is it important?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames airways and creates breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States and around the world, and its prevalence has been increasing over the past three decades. Asthma episodes can be mild, moderate, or even life threatening. Environmental irritants, allergens, or infections usually trigger asthma episodes. General irritants include the following: tobacco smoke, spray deodorants, talcum powder, make-up, perfume, odors from cleaning fluids, paints, furniture polish, room fresheners, smog, car and truck exhaust; hair, insect, and cleaning sprays.

Frequent symptoms among asthmatic children can be a sign of inadequate medical control and persistent exposure to the general irritants mentioned above. Many children who suffer from asthma do not receive the proper medical care due to lack of access in the area, particularly in rural communities of the Sierra Nevada. Without proper medical attention, asthma can be debilitating for children, possibly preventing them from participating in necessary learning and development activities.

The lack of proper medical facilities or access to them may be the cause for discrepancies in reported data. If many people suffering from asthma are not seeking treatment or are incapable of doing so, they will not be accounted for.

How are we doing?

Airborne pollutants are referred to as particulate matter – a term used for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Coarse particles (larger than 2.5 micrometers) come from a variety of sources including windblown dust and grinding operations. Fine particles (less than 2.5 micrometers) often come from fuel combustion, power plants, diesel buses and trucks. This particularly affects the Sierra Nevada due to the traffic pollution from highway 395 as well as from dust and pesticides from ranch and farmland.

The average adult breathes 13,000 liters of air per day while children breathe 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults. Because children's respiratory systems are still developing, they are more susceptible to environmental threats than healthy adults.

4 Based on the California Health Interview Survey, El Dorado County has the highest percentage of children who take asthma medications, while the south central area has the least.

4 http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/naaqsfin/pmhealth.html

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