Air Pollution and Public Health Mike Kolleng American Lung Association

Why Healthy Air Matters

Ozone Pollution Common pollutants: Ozone (smog) Particulate matter (soot) Mercury Carbon pollution Outdoor Air Pollutants

What is ozone? Gas, sometimes called smog Created in the atmosphere NOx + VOCs + + = Ozone (O 3 ) Outdoor Air Pollutants

Particulate matter is microscopic Outdoor Air Pollutants Solids and aerosols bypass the body’s defenses to lodge in lungs.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

Risks from breathing ozone: Premature death Coughing and wheezing Asthma attacks Worsening of COPD Hospital and ER admissions –US EPA, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants, 2006 Outdoor Air Pollutants

Risks from breathing particle pollution : Premature mortality Asthma attacks Heart attacks, strokes Worsening of lung & cardiovascular diseases Hospital and ER admissions EPA, Integrated Science Assessment, 2009 Outdoor Air Pollutants

Toxic air pollution About 180 hazardous air pollutants harm health in other ways, including... Outdoor Air Pollutants

Just some of the toxic pollutants Cause Cancer Arsenic Dioxins and furans Benzene Formaldehyde May damage reproductive systems PAHs Damage developing nervous systems Mercury Lead Irritates skin, eyes, breathing passages Acid gases Outdoor Air Pollutants

Health Effects of Air Pollution Someone in every family faces higher risk from air pollution

Children, teens have growing lungs, spend more time outdoors, inhale more air per pound Children, Teens face higher risk

Aging brings a gradual decline in the body’s systems that makes us more vulnerable. Older Adults face higher risk

Having asthma or other lung diseases, cardiovascular disease or diabetes puts you at higher risk. Chronic diseases mean higher risk

Working or exercising outdoors increases exposure, especially near highways Healthy adults face higher risk

Poorer people often live closer to sources of pollution, may have higher incidence of disease, and less access to care. Low income people face higher risk

State of the Air 2013 Results for DuPage County and Illinois GroupDuPage CountyIllinois Total Population923,22212,869,257 Pediatric Asthma16,258223,551 Adult Asthma57,088796,340 COPD42,441592,962 Cardiovascular Disease238,7983,302,457 Diabetes68,728951,228 Children 18 & Under225,3183,098,125 Adults 65 & Over110,0601,640,765 Poverty Estimate71,0401,871,482

Why should we care?

Health Effects of Bad Air Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke Shortness of breath & wheezing Asthma attacks ER visits & hospitalizations Long-term lung & cardiovascular disease Lung Cancer Premature death in seniors and infants Health Effects of Air Pollution

Air pollution drops 59% since 1970 Success since 1990

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments prevent: Adult Mortality - particles160,000230,000 Infant Mortality - particles Mortality - ozone4,3007,100 Chronic Bronchitis54,00075,000 Heart Disease - Acute Myocardial Infarction130,000200,000 Asthma Exacerbation1,700,0002,400,000 Emergency Room Visits86,000120,000 School Loss Days3,200,0005,400,000 Lost Work Days13,000,00017,000,000 Public Health

In 2010 alone, the Clean Air Act Saved 160,000 lives Prevented 130,000 heart attacks Prevented 1.7 million asthma attacks Prevented 86,000 emergency dept. visits –EPA, 2011 Why Healthy Air Matters

Healthy Air Campaign Defend the Clean Air Act Stop Congress from interfering with EPA Push Administration to implement the law

We need your help: Pay attention to air pollution to protect you and your family. Take steps to limit the pollution you produce. Tell your members of Congress how important Clean Air Act is to your patients. Speak up for clean air standards. Protecting your health

Healthy Air Campaign Measure of Success No statutory changes Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standards Cross State Air Pollution Rule Standards for cement plant toxics Proposed standards for industrial boilers and high fuel economy vehicles Updated particulate pollution standard

Goals for 2014 Defend previous victories Push for clean vehicles and clean fuels Tighten health standards for ozone and particulate matter Support standards for carbon pollution Clean air protections

Dan Dolan-Laughlin Double lung transplant recipient from Wheaton, IL Lead healthy air advocate 2013 White House Champion of Change for Public Health and Environment

Thank You Contact Information Mike Kolleng American Lung Association