NRS-425 Benchmark – Policy Brief Infographic : Particle Air Pollution and Asthma Effects

NRS-425 Benchmark – Policy Brief Infographic : Particle Air Pollution and Asthma Effects

NRS-425 Benchmark – Policy Brief Infographic

Particle Air Pollution and Asthma Effects

Polluted air is an environmental health concern.  The
American Public Health Organization
(APHA) identified air pollution as a public health issue affecting populations (APHA, 2023). The
United States Environmental Protection Agency
(US EPA) defines air pollution as the presence of materials in air composition that degrade its quality. US EPA links air pollution to respiratory health effects, including increased incidence of respiratory infections, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), rhinitis, and lung cancers (US EPA, 2023).

Particulate matter is one of the air pollutants. According to the US EPA, particle pollution can cause and exacerbate respiratory infections, such as asthma, in children and adults. Particles deposited in the respiratory tract cause inflammation. However, the severity of pulmonary inflammation depends on the size and composition of the inhaled particles. The American Lung Association notes particles have different sizes. They are classified as ultrafine, fine, and coarse. Particles with size ranges of 2.5 to 10 microns (PM
10-2.5
) are identified as coarse, while those with a diameter of 2.5 microns or below (PM
2.5
) are fine. Those with diameters below 0.1 microns are considered ultrafine. Particles can result from wildfires like in the western US and the combustion of fossil fuels. Every particle could harm people’s health, especially those with underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma (American Lung Association, 2023).

Particle pollution has been associated with asthma. It is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation, bronchi constriction, and excessive mucus production (Kelly et al., 2021). Kelly et al. (2021) identified asthma symptoms as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. Individuals with asthma can experience exacerbations due to stressors, such as air pollution.  Air pollutants could also lead to the onset of asthma in children.  Biological particles, such as spores, bacteria, and viruses, can cause asthma exacerbation. Both acute and chronic particle pollution can result in life-threatening respiratory complications, emergency visits, admissions, morbidity, and mortality (US EPA, 2023). The prevalence and disease outcomes for the asthma effects of particle pollution are disproportionate across children, older adults, individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES), and minorities (US EPA, 2023). Addressing particle pollution is crucial to ensure improved air outdoor quality for all people and enhance health outcomes for at-risk groups.

Ways to Prevent Asthma Effects of Particle Pollution

There are various ways to prevent the health impact of particle pollution, ranging from personal to policy-based interventions. Kelly et al. (2021) noted that while pharmacotherapy treats asthma-related symptoms, having high air quality is crucial to prevent exacerbations. The authors identified a few strategies for reducing air pollution and respiratory effects by drawing recommendations from past studies. The first intervention proposed is states to limit the release of fine particulate matter into the air (PM
2.5
). Kelly and colleagues noted in California, asthma incidence in children dropped by 10% after the state reduced particles to 2.5-micron diameter between 1993 and 2014. Closure of industries and withdrawal from hosting the Olympic games are other ambitious measures states and the federal government of America have taken to ensure air quality and environmental justice.   The authors gave an example of Utah Valley Steel Mill, whose 13-month closure led to a significant drop in PM2.5 and a 50% reduction in admissions related to childhood asthma.  Another strategy is to control transportation-related emissions by ensuring cleaner vehicles (electric) and decongestion. Policies that sensitize people to seasons with rampant air pollution also prevent exposure (Kelly et al., 2021).  Implementing these strategies can promote air quality and health outcomes for people at risk of asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Additionally, particle pollution can be addressed through planning built environment, including indoor spaces. Local, state, and federal governments should rethink urban design. The design should incorporate green spaces, such as parks, which can control air pollution.  Besides, industries and factors should be established away from residential places to avoid high exposure to particle pollution (Kelly et al., 2021). Public health agencies should also ensure buildings have air conditioning and inform the public of principles for maintaining indoor air quality. Use of synthetic floorings, maintaining room cleanliness, and avoiding allergens are some individual-level measures for preventing particle pollution and associated asthma effects (Burns et al., 2019; Kelly et al., 2021). Implementing the identified interventions can enhance outdoor and indoor air quality to reduce asthma incidence and exacerbations.

Current Policy that Addresses Particle Pollution

              
The main current policy addressing particle pollution is the Clean Air Act. The legislation aims to protect humans from emissions that degrade air quality. EPA is the primary enforcing agency. The organization is mandated to establish air quality standards for all states in America. Each state should have a plan to reduce air pollution and minimize the health effects.  The strategic plan should encompass actions for the prevention and mitigation of air pollution from different sources, such as traffic and industries (Congressional Research Service, 2022). An example of how states implement the act is by establishing zero emission standards in their jurisdiction. The other way has been by providing air quality alerts. For instance, the New York State provides information on particulate matter pollution to the public. Individuals with respiratory infections or at risk are advised to stay indoors when the air quality index is unhealthy and sensitive for some people. The state’s health department also creates awareness about maintaining indoor air quality at work, schools, and healthcare facilities (Department of Health, New York State, 2023). These measures under the act have helped control air pollution in the US for American citizens, but some people still experience increased air pollution (American Lung Association, 2023). The existing policy should be restructured to achieve health equity and social justice.

Making the Clean Air Act More Effective

Clean Air Act has had a considerable impact on the American’s health by reducing air pollution, but a few changes could enhance its efficacy. The legislation enforcement should be intensified at all government levels, local, state, and federal. US EPA identifies the air pollution as transboundary. The agency recommends a strategy plan that covers all people and environments, including neighborhoods where marginalized communities live. Keller et al. (2021) emphasized the need for system-wide change for optimal particle-pollution control. Involving stakeholders at all levels is also recommendable. The authors also advocate for policies to address disparities in air pollution and health effects. Implementing these recommendations can enhance air quality and promote health equity and social justice.

Procedure for Initiating Policy Change

Initiating policy change would require a few steps and stakeholder engagement. The first step is determining the pollutants in a particular area and their sources. The second step would be to identify measures for controlling pollution sources. Air quality standards for enforcing the interventions should be established. Understanding the US EPA guidelines for emissions and other air pollutants can help public health agencies develop specific attainment requirements (US EPA, 2023). The information should be included in a policy brief to inform and sensitize policymakers about particle pollution NRS-425 Benchmark – Policy Brief Infographic : Particle Air Pollution and Asthma Effects.

The next step would be engaging the stakeholders. They include public health officials, local environmental officers, the public,  and state and federal legislators. Public health officials could have a high influence on the policy change because particle pollution leads to poor health outcomes. The agencies are interested in improving air quality to control respiratory infections. Local environmental officers could also influence the policy change due to their role in ensuring air quality. Legislators are other influential stakeholders whose support will facilitate passing the recommendations into law. The public, although with moderate influence has an interest in interventions that address air pollution (Keller et al., 2021). Involving these stakeholders would ease policy change.

References

American Lung Association (2023). Particle pollution.
American Lung Association.

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/what-makes-air-unhealthy/particle-pollution
.

APHA (2023). Topics and issues: Environmental health.
American Public Health Association (APHA).

https://www.apha.org/Topics-and-Issues/Environmental-Health
.

Burns, J., Boogaard, H., Polus, S., Pfadenhauer, L. M., Rohwer, A. C., Erp, A. M., Turley, R., & Rehfuess, E. (2019). Interventions to reduce ambient particulate matter air pollution and their effect on health.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,
5, CD010919.
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010919.pub2/epdf/full
.

Congressional Research Service (2022). Clean Air Act: A summary of the act and its major requirements.
Congressional Research Service.

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30853
.

Department of Health, New York State (2023). Particle pollution and health.
New York State.
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm.

Kelly, F. J., Mudway, I. S., & Fussell, J. C. (2021). Air pollution and asthma: Critical targets for effective action.
Pulmonary Therapy, 7
(1), 9-24.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41030-020-00138-1
.

US EPA (2023). Particle pollution and respiratory effects.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).
https://www.epa.gov/pmcourse/particle-pollution-and-respiratory-effects
.

NRS-425 Benchmark – Policy Brief Infographic : Particle Air Pollution and Asthma Effects