LOVEAND, OHIO – SMOG SEASON AND YOUR CHILDREN'S HEALTH

LOVEAND, OHIO – So far this year the air in the Loveland area has been relatively clean, however air pollution levels are creeping into the dangerous levels. Levels that will damage the health of our children.

A recent study conducted by the American Lung Association shows, “As many as 27.1 million children age 13 and under, and over 1.9 million children with asthma are potentially exposed to unhealthful levels of ozone.”

“Air pollution, including ozone, can result in more frequent respiratory infections in children due to impairment of the lung's ability to defend itself,” according to the American Lung Association (ALA).

The Natural Resources Defense Council says that data gathered in variety of recent studies reveals, “that air pollutants are associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects in children, including:

• increased death rates in very severe pollution episodes and increased mortality risks for those living in highly polluted areas,
• increased risk of acute respiratory illness,
• aggravation of asthma, increased respiratory symptoms, and increased sickness rates (as indicated by kindergarten and school absences), and
• decreases in lung function.

Michael T. Kleinman, Ph.D. Is a Professor in the Department of Community and Environmental Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. He says, “In many health effects research studies, children are considered as if they were small adults. This is not really true. There are many differences between children and adults in the ways that they respond to air pollution. For example, children take in more air per unit body weight at a given level of exertion than do adults. When a child is exercising at maximum levels, such as during a soccer game or other sports event, they may take in 20 percent to 50 percent more air -- and more air pollution -- than would an adult in comparable activity.”

Kleinman  goes on to say, “Air pollution can change the cells in the lung by damaging those that are most susceptible. If the cells that are damaged are important in the development of new functional parts of the lung, then the lung may not achieve its full growth and function as a child matures to adulthood.”

The American Lung Association says, “Physically, children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because their respiratory defenses are not fully formed. Their airways are smaller, and more likely to become blocked when irritated. They breathe more rapidly, taking in more pollution per pound of body weight. Children also spend a lot of time outdoors. They play hard, and breathe hard. Finally, children generally do not acknowledge the effects of ozone exposure, even when they are experiencing significantly reduced breathing ability. So they are less likely than adults to protect themselves from further harm by reducing activity level or going inside.”

The Association recommends that parents need to keep track of air pollution levels. “If the air quality is unhealthy, try to limit the amount of time your child spends outdoors in vigorous play. Plan the most strenuous activities for the early morning hours, before ozone levels climb. Keep all outdoor activities as far as possible from busy roadways and other sources of pollution.”

“Make sure your child's coaches and camp directors are aware of the health risks of air pollution, and have policies in place to protect the kids when air quality is unhealthy. If your child has asthma, it is important that these care-givers know he or she is especially vulnerable on high ozone days.”

And they also recommend that adults speak out in support of clean air. “Community leaders need to hear from people who are concerned about the toll air pollution is taking on the health of our children.”

PARTICULATES
“Particulate matter is the generic term used for a type of air pollution that consists of complex and varying mixtures of particles suspended in the air we breathe. Particles are present everywhere, but high concentrations and/or specific types of particles have been found to present a serious danger to human health, “ according to Lung Association.

“Particles of special concern to the protection of lung health are those known as fine particles, less than 2.5 microns in diameter. (For comparison, a human hair is about 75 microns in diameter.) Fine particles are easily inhaled deeply into the lungs where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream or remain embedded for long periods of time. A recent study showed a 17% increase in mortality risk in areas with higher concentrations of small particles.”

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
In a policy statement entitled, Ambient Air Pollution: Health Hazards to Children the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “advises that not only can outdoor air pollution exacerbate asthma in some children, but recent studies have found that pollution has the potential to negatively affect lung growth and function, and to increase cases of respiratory tract illness, preterm birth and infant mortality.”