Occupational asthma and lung diseases - CCOHS: Occupational Health
Asthma & the Environment Oklahoma Asthma Initiative American Lung Association of the Central States.
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Transcript of Asthma & the Environment Oklahoma Asthma Initiative American Lung Association of the Central States.
Asthma & the Environment
Oklahoma Asthma Initiative
American Lung Association of the Central States
Learning Objectives Objective 1: Describe the burden of asthma in
Oklahoma
Objective 2: Demonstrate effective approaches to environmental asthma management
Objective 3: Discuss building partnerships for health promotion and advocacy
Asthma in Oklahoma Asthma continues to be a significant public
health concern About 21 million Americans have asthma About 5,000 deaths occur annually from asthma
8.5% of Oklahoma adults have asthma 9.2% of Oklahoma children have asthma Asthma affects nearly 1 in 13 school-aged children
in Oklahoma
Asthma 101 Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease
of the airways Characterized by coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath Airways are inflamed, swollen and have
increased mucus production as a response to a trigger
Asthma 101 (continued)
Asthma Triggers Asthma triggers are categorized as:
Allergens and Irritants Allergens include: pet dander, dust mites, pollens Irritants include: tobacco smoke, outdoor air
pollution, strong odors
Asthma & the Environment We spend 90% of our time indoors
Many asthma triggers can be found indoors
The time spent outside can compromise our lung health Particles in air pollution can aggravate asthma
and respiratory symptoms.
Asthma Management There is no cure for asthma, but it can be
managed and controlled Asthma management includes:
Taking medications, as prescribed by a health care professional
Following an asthma action plan Identifying and controlling asthma triggers
Asthma & the Environment Children are sensitive to air pollution—their lungs
are developing and they have a faster breathing rate
Diesel exhaust emissions Diesel exhaust contains significant levels of smallparticles, known as fine particulate matter. Exposure to particulate matter, especially fineparticles, is associated with increased frequency ofchildhood illness and is a trigger for asthma Diesel exhaust contributes to ozone formation
Diesel Exhaust Emissions-Health Effects In the short term, breathing in diesel fumes can
cause coughing, itchy or burning eyes, chest constriction, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Long term exposure to diesel fumes may increase the risk of lung cancer and possibly bladder cancer.
There is additional evidence that the fine particles in DPM can aggravate heart problems.
What Can We Do? Do not allow school buses or other vehicles such
as delivery trucks to idle on school grounds and discourage carousing. Idling school buses can pollute air in and around the bus Idling buses waste fuel and money
When idling, a typical school bus engine burns approximately half a gallon of fuel per hour.
Idling buses cause engine wear and tear Recommendation for warming up is no more than 5 min.
What Can We Do? Retrofit engines with an exhaust filtration
device to capture particulate matter.
Regular maintenance of diesel engines is essential to keep exhaust emissions down
What Can We Do? Minimize the time that children spend
outside when school buses are arriving or departing
Discourage drivers from following directly behind other large vehicles, including school buses – especially if they see visible smoke being emitted
Questions