I Breathe What? Each day in the United States, hundreds of thousands of tons of polluting emissions that result from human activity enter the air!

Air Pollution When harmful substances build up in the air to unhealthy levels the result is air pollution. –Primary Pollutant –Put directly into the air by human activity –Example: Soot from smoke –Secondary Pollutant –Occurs when a primary pollutant comes into contact with another primary pollutant or naturally occurring substance and a chemical reaction takes place. Ground level Ozone

Primary Pollutants: Chemicals Examples: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, Methane, Chlorine Gas Can cause respiratory infections and acid rain

Primary Pollutants: Exhaust Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide: Slows reflexes and causes drowsiness. In high concentrations, CO can cause death.

Primary Pollutant: Particulate Matter or Fine Particles Particulates are tiny particles of liquid or solid matter. Can cause respiratory problems and cancer.

A variety of sources: diesel trucks and buses construction equipment power plants woodstoves Wildfires Natural Sources Where does fine particles come from?

Fine particles are only a fraction of the size of a human hair. How Fine is Fine? Fine Particles (2.5  m) Cross section of a human hair (magnified to 60  m) Coarse Particles (10  m)

Facts About Breathing You breath about 26,000 times a day ( breaths per minute) That is about 150 full bathtubs of air We breath in over 1,000,000,000 small particles a day! The average house collects about 2 pounds of dust a week

How does your body filter out the particles?

Mucus Dried Mucus forms when mucus traps dirt in the nose

Nasal Hair Nose hairs filter most of the dirt in the air.

Sneezing

Coughing

Why are Fine Particles Bad to Breathe? Scientific studies have linked fine particles with a series of significant health problems. Fine particles easily reach the deepest parts of the lungs. Particulate matter causes 15,000 premature deaths every year in the US. Fine particles from Diesel exhaust can cause lung cancer.

Asthma and Air Pollution Far too many Americans -- about 20 million people -- are acquainted with the symptoms of an asthma attack. In severe cases, asthma attacks can be deadly. They kill 5,000 people every year in the United States. The prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has increased by more than 75% since 1980; children and certain racial groups, especially African Americans, have experienced relatively greater increases in asthma prevalence.

Asthma Movie

Common Indoor Pollutants

Mold and asthma What’s the problem?

What is mold? Molds are tiny organisms found almost everywhere around us There are hundreds of mold species in the environment Mold has a musty, moist odor, which is easily detected if there is heavy mold growth Mold produces spores Molds are tiny organisms found almost everywhere around us There are hundreds of mold species in the environment Mold has a musty, moist odor, which is easily detected if there is heavy mold growth Mold produces spores

Mold growth behind wallpaper Courtesy of EPA

Extensive mold contamination of ceiling and walls Courtesy of EPA

Mold growing in closet as a result of condensation from room air Courtesy of EPA

Mold and Asthma Inhaled spores irritate the lungs of a person who is allergic to mold Mold spores can make asthma worse Inhaled spores irritate the lungs of a person who is allergic to mold Mold spores can make asthma worse Courtesy of AAFA

Common places where mold grows Mold grows in places with: *Moisture *Dampness *Warmth *Food source (rotting food, leaves, paper,dirt, etc.) Mold grows in places with: *Moisture *Dampness *Warmth *Food source (rotting food, leaves, paper,dirt, etc.) Remember: Moisture is necessary for mold to grow

Cont’...Cont’... Bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms Attics and kitchens Carpets and wicker furniture Refrigerator, food storage areas and garbage cans Heating and air conditioning systems Insulation and window frames Upholstery and mattresses Bathrooms, basements and laundry rooms Attics and kitchens Carpets and wicker furniture Refrigerator, food storage areas and garbage cans Heating and air conditioning systems Insulation and window frames Upholstery and mattresses

What to do about mold? Remember: Control mold growth by reducing the source of moisture plus disinfecting the moldy areas General clean up: Make up a bleach solution: 1 cup of bleach + 1 gallon of water (or 1/4 cup of bleach + 1 quart of water. Clean surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and any other moldy surfaces with this solution General clean up: Make up a bleach solution: 1 cup of bleach + 1 gallon of water (or 1/4 cup of bleach + 1 quart of water. Clean surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom and any other moldy surfaces with this solution

Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern 151 to to to 500 Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous 0 to to to 150 Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups The Air Quality Index

Short Term Effects of Air Pollution Headache Nausea Irritation to eyes, nose and throat Tightness in the chest Coughing Aggravated asthma URI – Upper Respiratory Infections

Long Term Effects of Air Pollution Emphysema Lung cancer Heart disease