Asthma & the Environment

Oklahoma Asthma Initiative

American Lung Association of the Central States

Learning Objectives Objective 1: Describe the burden of asthma in

Oklahoma

Objective 2: Demonstrate effective approaches to environmental asthma management

Objective 3: Discuss building partnerships for health promotion and advocacy

Asthma in Oklahoma Asthma continues to be a significant public

health concern About 21 million Americans have asthma About 5,000 deaths occur annually from asthma

8.5% of Oklahoma adults have asthma 9.2% of Oklahoma children have asthma Asthma affects nearly 1 in 13 school-aged children

in Oklahoma

Asthma 101 Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease

of the airways Characterized by coughing, wheezing,

shortness of breath Airways are inflamed, swollen and have

increased mucus production as a response to a trigger

Asthma 101 (continued)

Asthma Triggers Asthma triggers are categorized as:

Allergens and Irritants Allergens include: pet dander, dust mites, pollens Irritants include: tobacco smoke, outdoor air

pollution, strong odors

Asthma & the Environment We spend 90% of our time indoors

Many asthma triggers can be found indoors

The time spent outside can compromise our lung health Particles in air pollution can aggravate asthma

and respiratory symptoms.

Asthma Management There is no cure for asthma, but it can be

managed and controlled Asthma management includes:

Taking medications, as prescribed by a health care professional

Following an asthma action plan Identifying and controlling asthma triggers

Asthma & the Environment Children are sensitive to air pollution—their lungs

are developing and they have a faster breathing rate

Diesel exhaust emissions Diesel exhaust contains significant levels of smallparticles, known as fine particulate matter. Exposure to particulate matter, especially fineparticles, is associated with increased frequency ofchildhood illness and is a trigger for asthma Diesel exhaust contributes to ozone formation

Diesel Exhaust Emissions-Health Effects In the short term, breathing in diesel fumes can

cause coughing, itchy or burning eyes, chest constriction, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Long term exposure to diesel fumes may increase the risk of lung cancer and possibly bladder cancer.

There is additional evidence that the fine particles in DPM can aggravate heart problems.

What Can We Do? Do not allow school buses or other vehicles such

as delivery trucks to idle on school grounds and discourage carousing. Idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus Idling buses waste fuel and money

When idling, a typical school bus engine burns approximately half a gallon of fuel per hour.

Idling buses cause engine wear and tear Recommendation for warming up is no more than 5 min.

What Can We Do? Retrofit engines with an exhaust filtration

device to capture particulate matter.

Regular maintenance of diesel engines is essential to keep exhaust emissions down

What Can We Do? Minimize the time that children spend

outside when school buses are arriving or departing

Discourage drivers from following directly behind other large vehicles, including school buses – especially if they see visible smoke being emitted

Questions