Who’s At Risk

The most vulnerable people are those with respiratory disease, especially disease of the airways such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. African-Americans, in turn, suffer a high prevalence of asthma, causing vulnerability to the effects of poor air quality. The elderly are susceptible, and so are young children. Particle pollution also poses a threat to people with heart disease, including those with congestive heart disease, coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Asthma is a special concern because the prevalence of people with asthma is on the rise. According to most evidence, air pollution does not cause asthma. However, once a person has asthma, air pollution can trigger attacks. For children with asthma, a smoggy summer means missed games, staying indoors and in too many cases, spending the day at the emergency room instead of summer camp. Why are children so vulnerable to pollution-caused lung problems?

• Asthma is more common in young children.
• Children breathe more and faster than adults do.
• Children are more active and more likely to play outdoors.
• Children breathe through their mouths more, eliminating the filtering effect that comes from nose breathing.
• Outdoor sports at school are most likely to occur in the afternoon hours when ozone levels are highest.

But even healthy, conditioned athletes may be affected by air pollution. In one study, day hikers on New Hampshire's Mount Washington showed decreased lung function on high ozone days compared to low ozone days.* And particle pollution is linked to significant public health risks -- including death from heart and lung disease.

* Korrick et al . Environ Health Persp 1998;106:93-99