Fact Sheet: Air Pollution Higher Risk Groups
The American Lung Association State of the Air 2008 highlights at-risk
populations affected by ozone and particle pollution Many groups of people
are at particularly increased risk when exposed to air pollution because of
their age or because they suffer from chronic lung or cardiovascular
disease, or diabetes These at-risk groups include:
People with Asthma
Over 22 million children and 55 million adults with asthma live in parts
of the US with very high levels of ozone Nearly 5 million adults and
over 19 million children with asthma live in areas with high levels of
short-term particle pollution Nearly 3 million adults and over 12 million
children with asthma live in counties with unhealthful levels of year-round
particle pollution
Older and Younger
Over 102 million adults age 65 and over and nearly 24 million children
under age 18 live in counties with unhealthful ozone levels Over 94
million seniors and 206 million children live in counties with unhealthful
short-term levels of particle pollution Over 55 million seniors and 13
million children live in counties with unhealthful levels of year-round
particle
pollution
Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
Nearly 29 million people with chronic bronchitis and over 12 million with
emphysema live in counties with unhealthful ozone levels Nearly 26
million people with chronic bronchitis and 11 million with emphysema live
in counties with unhealthful levels of short-term particle pollution Over
15 million people with chronic bronchitis and over 644,000 with emphysema
live in counties with unhealthful year-round levels of particle pollution
Cardiovascular Disease
Nearly 201 million people with cardiovascular diseases live in areas with
unhealthful levels of short-term particle pollution; nearly 12 million live
in counties with unhealthful levels of year-round particle pollution
Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, heart attacks,
strokes, hypertension and angina pectoris
Diabetes
Over 46 million people with diabetes live in areas with unhealthful levels
of short-term particle pollution; over 27 million live in counties with
unhealthful levels of year-round particle pollution Research indicates
that diabetics face increased risk due to particle pollution impact on
their cardiovascular
systems
Source:midlandlung.org
