Particulate matter contributes to 800,000 premature deaths globally. Mortality has been shown to have been linked to cardiovascular disease shortly after particulate matter exposure (Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach, 2012). In addition to cardiovascular disease, particulate matter exposure exacerbates respiratory illness and increases morbidity and mortality due to pulmonary inflammation that leads to anatomical and physiologic pulmonary changes and decrease lung function. Indoor air quality can often be more toxic and damaging than outdoor air because buildings are more energy efficient and air tight. Toxins in an indoor air environment get trapped can become more highly concentrated than if they were outside. Children are at an increased risk for toxic exposure (Suwanwaiphatthana, Ruangdej, Turner-Hanson, 2010). They breathe more, eat more, and drink more than adults per body weight and they have a faster respiratory rate which can bring in more toxin. Additionally, their growin...
Increase of 1,400 premature deaths due to pollution?! That's awful!! I think it is so heartbreaking how low-income communities and people of color are always at a greater disadvantage due to living near power-plants, factories, etc., which contributes to the cycle of illnesses and disease that are typically found in minorities and low income communities. Rather that making an effort to better the living conditions and health of disadvantaged groups, this "plan" seems to be only concerned with profit rather than protecting the lives and health of the surrounding/greater community.
ReplyDelete