August 2009
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease
(COPD) is the fourth
leading cause of
death in the United
States.
More than two
million adults age
65 and older have
asthma, and in
2004 more than one
million older adults
suffered an asthma
episode.4
                        Age  Healthier
                        Breathe  Easier
                        Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers
       Did you know that
       Chronic Obstructive
       Pulmonary Disease
       (COPD) is the fourth
leading cause of death in the
United States, claiming more
than 125,000 lives in 2005?1 In
2006, COPD caused 672,000
hospitalizations and 1.4 million
hospital emergency room
visits.2 COPD includes chronic
bronchitis and emphysema -
lung diseases which frequently
coexist and are characterized
by obstruction to air flow,
making it difficult to breathe.
Smokers are particularly at risk
of developing COPD, however,
it also has been linked to
workplace exposure to dust
and fumes. Symptoms include
chronic cough, increased
mucus production, chest
tightness, shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing.

Economic Impact of
COPD and Asthma

In 2007, the annual treatment
cost for all age groups was
approximately $43 billion for
COPD.3 COPD is particularly
common among older adults
and significantly compromises
their quality of life. As baby
boomers age, the number of
older adults affected by COPD
and asthma is expected to
grow significantly.
Environmental Hazards,
Triggers for COPD and
Asthma

Outdoor Air
Exposure to air pollution can
pose a significant risk to older
adults, especially those with lung
disease.  Particle pollution may
aggravate lung diseases, including
COPD and asthma, and may be
responsible for serious health
effects, including hospitalization
or premature death. Ozone also
may aggravate lung diseases and
may result in emergency room
and hospital admissions.

Indoor Air
Pollutants that exist within
homes and buildings also
may be harmful to persons
with COPD or asthma. Many
older persons spend up to 90
percent of their time indoors,
often at home. Common indoor
environmental hazards that
may trigger COPD and asthma
attacks include tobacco smoke
(direct and second-hand smoke),
animal dander, dust mites and
cockroaches, mold, dust and
pollen. Other sources of indoor
air pollution that may trigger a
COPD or asthma attack include
combustion products of oil, gas,
kerosene and coal, and building
materials and furnishings made
of pressed wood products.
Pesticides, household cleaning

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                     Pollutants that exist within homes and buildings also may be
                     harmful to persons with COPD or asthma.
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What you can do to

control and reduce

exposure to

environmental hazards

If you or your loved one experience symptoms
of COPD or asthma, consult a doctor and follow
a management plan outlined  by your health
care provider. The key to management of these
diseases is through preventive measures and
reduced exposure to environmental hazards.
Take  steps to prevent, control and reduce the
frequency of symptoms to allow you or your
loved one to breathe easier.

  • Avoid tobacco smoke

  • Avoid smoke from wood-burning  stoves

  • Reduce mold, dust mites and
   cockroaches in your home

  • Keep pets out of sleeping areas

  • Check furnace and heating units
   annually

  • Fix water leaks promptly

  • Check the Air Quality Index (AQI)

Reduce outdoor activity as much as possible on
poor air quality days. The AQI reports how clean
the air is and whether it will affect your  health.
If you have access to the Internet, you can learn
more about the AQI by visiting www.epa.gov/
airnow.  If you do not have access to a computer
or the internet, you can learn  more about the
daily AQI through newspaper, television  and
radio weather reports.
I
    products and substances with irritating
    odors also may exacerbate these
    diseases.


    Learn More About EPA's
    Aging Initiative

    The Aging Initiative is working to protect
    the environmental health of older adults
    through the coordination of research,
    prevention strategies and public
    education. For more information about
    the Aging Initiative, visit www.epa.
    gov/aging.

    A poster entitled "Age Healthier Breathe
    Easier" on COPD, asthma and older
    adults is also available on the website to
    download.
     AGING
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          nitiative
    Endnotes
    1. Centers for Disease Control and
    Prevention, National Center for Health
    Statistics. Final Vital Statistics Report.
    Deaths: Final Data for 2005, Vol. 56,
    No. 10, April 24,2008.

    2. Ibid.

    3. U.S. Department of Health and Human
    Services, National Institutes of Health.
    National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
    Morbidity and Mortality: 2007 Chartbook on
    Cardiovascular, Lung and Blood Diseases.

    4. National Center for Health Statistics.
    Raw Data from the National Health
    Interview Survey, U.S., 1982-1996,
    2001-2004.

    Publication Number EPA 100-F-09-045

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