_ Effects of M. ^ „
Common Air Pollutants
RESPIRATORY EFFECTS
CARDIOVASCULAR rFTHCTS
Symptoms:
•Cough
Phlegm
Chest tightness
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Alveoli
filled with
trapped air
Increased sickness and
premature death from:
Asthma
Bronchitis (acute or chronic)
Emphysema
Pneumonia
Development of new disease
Chronic bronchitis
Premature aging of the lungs
How Pollutants
Cause Symptoms
Effects on Lung Function
Narrowing of airways
(bronchoconstriction)
Decreased air flow
Symptoms:
• Chest tightness
• Chest pain (angina)
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
Increased sickness and
premature death from:
• Coronary artery disease
•Abnormal heart rhythms
• Congestive heart failure
• Stroke
How Pollutants
Cause Symptoms
-V—*Jr—^r-
Normal heart rhythm
s*
'
Airway lining
Airway Inflammation
Influx of white blood cells
Abnormal mucus production
Fluid accumulation and
swelling (edema)
Death and shedding of
cells that line airways
Mucus
Abnormal heart rhythm
Effects on Cardiovascular Function
• Low oxygenation of red blood cells
•Abnormal heart rhythms
•Altered autonomic nervous system
control of the heart
Increased Susceptibility to Respiratory Infection
Vascular Inflammation
•Increased risk of
blood clot formation
• Narrowing of vessels
(vasoconstriction)
• Increased risk of
atherosclerotic
plaque rupture
Normal
Rupture-prone
vulnerable
plaque
Normal
Lung with
respiratory infection
Reduce your risk by usmg the Air Quality Index (AQI) to plan outdoor activities - www.airnow.gov
AQI Levels of Health Concern
Good
Moderate
AQI Values
0-50
What Action Should People Take?
Enjoy Activities
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
'nhealth
Very Unhealthy
1 51-100
101-150
1 151-200
H
1 201-300
People unusually sensitive to air pollution:
Plan strenuous outside activities when air quality is better
Sensitive Groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities
Ozone: People with lung disease, children and older adults and people who are active outdoors
Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease (including diabetics), older adults and children
Carbon Monoxide: People with heart disease and possibly infants and fetuses
Nitrogen Dioxide: People with lung disease, children and older adults
Sulfur Dioxide: Active children and adults with asthma
Everyone: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities
Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous outside activities
Everyone: Significantly cut back on outside physical activities
Sensitive groups: Avoid all outside physical activities
EPA-456/H-1 1-002
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