In the 'Symptoms - Environment' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about air pollution exposure:
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What has your exposure to air pollution (usually exhaust fumes) been?
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"Little or no exposure e.g. grew up in countryside" |
Low air pollution exposure |
A risk factor |
| 2. |
"Less than average" |
Low air pollution exposure |
A risk factor |
| 3. |
"Average exposure / don't know" |
Air pollution exposure |
A risk factor |
| 4. |
"More than average" |
Air pollution exposure |
A risk factor |
| 5. |
"High exposure: lived or worked near dense traffic" |
Air pollution exposure |
A risk factor |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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5 |
Acute Bronchitis |
If you smoke or are around damaging fumes (such as those in certain kinds of factories), you are more likely to get acute bronchitis and to have it longer because your bronchial tree is already damaged. |
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4 |
5 |
Asthma |
The number of people with asthma and the death rate from this condition have been increasing rapidly since the late 1980s. Environmental pollution may be one of the causes of this growing epidemic. Work exposure to flour or cotton dust, animal fur, smoke, and a wide variety of chemicals has been linked to increased risk of asthma. [Blanc PD, Eisner MD, Israel L, Yelin EH. The association between occupation and asthma in general medical practice. Chest 1999;115: pp.1259-64] |
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4 |
5 |
Atherosclerosis |
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4 |
5 |
Lung Cancer |
Over many years, the danger of breathing soot-filled air in polluted cities is comparable to the health risks associated with long-term exposure to second-hand smoke, according to a new study funded by the NIH and US EPA. The study assessed the impact of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, called fine particulate matter, in cities across the United States. Data was gathered from 500,000 adults who were followed from 1982 to 1998 as part of an ongoing cancer study. The study concluded that a 10mcg increase per cubic meter in fine particulate matter caused an 8% increase in the number of deaths from lung cancer. [Environmental News Service March 6, 2002] |
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GLOSSARY
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Asthma (Asthmatic)
A lung disorder marked by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing, and thick mucus coming from the lungs. The episodes may be triggered by breathing foreign substances (allergens) or pollutants, infection, vigorous exercise, or emotional stress. Extrinsic Asthma is triggered by pollen, chemicals or some other external agent; Intrinsic Asthma is triggered by boggy membranes, congested tissues, or other native causes… even adrenalin stress or exertion.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, frequently accompanied by cough, hypersecretion of mucus, and expectoration of sputum. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by an infectious agent and of short duration. Chronic bronchitis, generally the result of smoking, may also be known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Emphysema.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency. Also: Eicosapentanoic Acid. A metabolite of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid.
Epidemic
Describes a disease occurring in extensive outbreaks, or with an unusually high incidence at certain times and places.
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Microgram (mcg, Micrograms, ug)
0.000001 or a millionth of a gram.
NIH
National Institutes of Health.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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