AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH
- 1. AIR POLLUTION AND HEALTH MEDICAL EVIDENCE SUMMARY Clay Ballantine, M.D.
- 2. Medical Studies Peer-reviewed journals Thousands of studies Physiology Epidemiology Government databases Dose-Response relationship
- 3. Causes of Death in U.S. 1. Cardiovascular Disease 2. Cancer 3. Lung Disease
- 4. Annual Deaths Air Pollution 23,000 Drunk Driving 17,000 Murder 20,000
- 6. NC Medical Society Resolution 2001 House of Delegates unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by the Buncombe Co. Medical Society, urging all branches of state government to work toward cleaner air because of the large public health impact of air pollution exposure.
- 7. 4 Main Pollutants Ozone Particulates, especially PM 2.5 Air-borne toxics Mercury
- 8. RISK Assumed vs. Imposed
- 9. Who is at Risk? Children Elderly Prior heart or lung disease patients Diabetics Persons who work/exercise outdoors Otherwise healthy adults and children
- 10. Health Problems Impaired fertility Birth Defects Respiratory Infections Asthma Emphysema Lung Cancer Heart attacks Strokes Premature Death
- 11. “ Pyramid of Effects”
- 13. Air Pollutants: Ground Level Ozone Ultra-violet light Volatile organics Nitrogen oxides
- 14. Air Pollutants: Ground Level Ozone Nitrogen Oxides: 50% from traffic 50% from power plants and industry
- 15. By 2010 vehicle use will grow 70% and electricity use 50%. By 2040 vehicle use will grow 170% and electricity 100%.
- 16. Air Pollutants: Ground Level Ozone Seasonal variation Daily variation Outdoors Does not penetrate buildings
- 18. Ozone’s physiology Caustic gas--clear , colorless, odorless Oxidizes proteins and lipids in the mucosal fluid layer Highly irritating to lung linings Increases lung secretions, decreases oxygenation Sets off airway bronchospasm Recruits inflammatory cells Increases responses to allergens Damages infection fighting responses Chronic lung damage/remodeling
- 19. Asthma Epidemic 50 % in Children 100% in Adults
- 20. Ozone and Asthma Attacks Hundreds of published studies from around the world all show the same results: More ozone pollution exposure leads to more asthma attacks. Dose = Response relationship
- 22. Ozone Reduces Lung Function BASELINE 2HR 4HR FEV1, % CHANGE -60 -40 -20 0 M-10
- 23. Asthma and Air Pollution Epidemiologic analysis of air quality data from 1997 and asthma rates showed: One third to one half of asthma attacks in North Carolina annually are due to air pollution exposure Abt Associates report, 1999
- 24. North Carolina Summers Air pollution causes an EXTRA: 240,000 Asthma Attacks 6,300 ER Visits 1,900 Admissions (Abt Associates, 1999)
- 25. Ozone Causes Asthma Exercising children exposed to ozone: a cohort study time outdoors = asthma McConnell, et al. Lancet 2002: 359: 386-91
- 26. Ozone: Asthma Effects More people with asthma More asthma attacks More asthma medicine use More doctor, ER and Urgent Care visits More children and elderly in hospitals More school absences More lost work days
- 27. Ozone: Other Effects allergy symptoms respiratory infections ear infections emphysema attacks overall death rates
- 28. Ozone Pollution Health Risks The ALA “Worst 25” Atlanta 6 th Knoxville 8 th Charlotte 9 th Raleigh-Durham 13 th Nashville 18 th Memphis 19 th New York 20 th Birmingham 21 st Greensboro-Winston 21 st Macon 24 th Chattanooga 24 th
- 30. Air Pollutants: Particulates Sulfates, nitrates, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Soot / Carbon and Dust
- 31. Particulate Components 34 Elemental Metals Sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ammonia 9 Light PAHs 14 Heavy PAHs Bio-organics Traffic tracers: 2 Hopanes 4 Steranes
- 34. Particulate Physiology Penetrate deeply into lungs to alveoli Irritate lung linings-more asthma Stimulate immune system inflammatory proteins
- 35. Air Pollutants: Particulates Year round exposures Penetrate buildings
- 36. Two Different Immune System Responses Th1 = Normal infection fighting response Th2 = Allergic/Asthmatic response
- 37. Diesel Exhaust Permanently Changes Immune Response More Asthmatic and Allergic responses Increases Th2 Decreases Th1 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are the culprits Diesel and vehicle exhaust and coal smoke Nel, A.E., et al., J of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2001
- 38. Particulates and Asthma Multiple studies show direct correlation between exposure to particulates and increases in asthma attacks and hospitalization rates Effects seen in adults and especially pronounced in children
- 39. PAH and Allergies PAH exposure increases the physiological responses to allergens Allergy symptoms scores worse 3-fold Diaz-Sanchez J. All. Clin. Immun. Dec 2000 106
- 41. Particulates: Cardiac Effects Vascular inflammation Blood clotting protein levels Cardiac arrhythmias Blood pressure Heart rate variability Alters cardiac conduction
- 42. Particulates: Cardiac Effects Vascular inflammation is more important than cholesterol in development of cardio-vascular disease
- 43. Air Pollution and Next-Day Heart Attacks Short term exposure to particulates (PM2.5) increases the incidence of heart attacks for one day following exposure As air pollution goes up the risk of heart attack goes up Increased Particulate Air Pollution and the Triggering of Myocardial Infarction Peters, et al.; Circulation, June 12, 2001, vol. 103
- 44. Traffic Emissions and Death Near-road group had: Almost double the death rate from heart and lung disease 1.4 times higher overall death rate Hoek, G., et al. “Association between Mortality and Indicators of Traffic-related Air Pollution in the Netherlands: A Cohort Study” Lancet 360 (2002) 1203
- 45. Tunnel Workers Particulate Exposure Study Swedish automobile tunnel workers Higher incidences of cardiac events (heart attacks and deaths) due to exposure to particulates at tunnel work stations Bellander, T.,Dept. of Environmental Health, Sweden, WHO/HEI Conference March, 2001
- 47. Lung Cancer, Cardiopulmonary Mortality, and Long-term Exposure to Fine Particulate Air Pollution American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention II study 1.2 million adults enrolled in 1982 500,000 adults matched to available air pollution data in U.S. Extensive risk factor questionnaires Pope, et al. JAMA 2002 ;287:1132-1141
- 48. Lung Cancer… (Pope, et al) For every increase in particulate exposure of 10 mcg/m 3 , there was increased risk of: 4% All cause mortality 6% Cardiopulmonary mortality 8% Lung cancer mortality Pope, et al. JAMA 2002 ;287:1132-1141
- 49. Lung Cancer… (Pope, et al) Risk increase: Same as living with a smoker (second-hand smoke exposure) Pope, et al. JAMA 2002 ;287:1132-1141
- 50. Air Pollution and Stroke Deaths Fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants are significant risk factors for acute stroke death Women and the elderly are most susceptible to the effects of particulate air pollutants More air pollution exposure=more acute stroke deaths Effect of Air Pollutants on Acute Stroke Mortality. Hong, et al. Feb., 2002; Environmental Health Perspectives, v. 110. no.2
- 51. Long-term Effects of Particulate Pollution Exposure Up to 4% of all US deaths 1 to 3 year drop in life expectancy (smokers lose ~4 years) 5% of all cardiac hospitalizations Effects on healthy people as well
- 52. Lack of Threshold Effect: Nowhere to hide Daniels et al “NMMAPS” Am J Epidemiology v.152, no. 5. (2000)
- 53. Effects on Otherwise Healthy People Asthma rates in adults Pneumonia and respiratory infections Lung cancer rates similar to living with a smoker Overall death rates Faster decline in lung function with age
- 54. Area Cities at Risk >15 mcg/m 3 PM 2.5 Weighted Annual Mean Asheville = 15.1 Charlotte = 17.2 Raleigh = 16.5 Greensboro = 17.8 Atlanta = 21.4 Greenville, SC = 16.5 Johnson City, TN = 16.4 EPA data 2000
- 55. WNC Health Lowest overall mortality in state Lower lung cancer death rates (low cigarette use) Higher mortality from lung diseases pneumonia and emphysema Higher levels of fine particulate and air toxics air pollution than state or US NC State Center for Health Statistics, 1998
- 56. Effects on Children --A Generation at Risk-- Multiple birth defects-heart, neural tube Higher infant mortality More asthma Impaired lung development Premature emphysema Increased respiratory infections Higher health care expenditures
- 57. Childhood asthma Increased by 55% from 1982-1996 #1 cause of hospitalization (< 18 yrs) #1 health care cost for childhood diseases #1 cause lost school days (chronic illness ) 1/2 to 1/3 of NC asthma due to air pollution
- 58. Asthma in Buncombe County 10% Children diagnosed with asthma 25-30% Asthma symptoms Similar results in all North Carolina counties NC Dept. HHS-Div. Of Public Health, 2001
- 60. Ozone Causes Asthma Exercising children exposed to ozone: a cohort study time outdoors = asthma McConnell, et al. Lancet 2002: 359: 386-91
- 61. Air Pollution and Lung Function Growth-Part 1 1700 4 th graders followed for 4 years 10% lower lung function for children growing up in more polluted air Most time in polluted air = worst impairment of lung growth Association between Air Pollution and Lung Function Growth in Southern California Children. Gauderman, W., et al., Am J Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol.166 (2002) pp.76-84 .
- 62. Air Pollution and Lung Function Growth-Part 2 1700 4 th graders followed for 8 years 20% lower lung function for children growing up in more polluted air The Effect of Air Pollution on Lung Development from 10 to 18 Years of Age Gauderman, W., et al., New England Journal of Medicine Vol. 351 (2004) pp 1057-1067
- 64. Results of Clean-up 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, reduced ozone levels due to transit system changes led to a significant drop in children’s asthma. After German reunification, pollution dropped and children’s respiratory symptoms decreased dramatically. Friedman, M.S., et al. JAMA, V. 285, No. 7, 2001 Heinrich, J., et al., Am. J. Resp. and Crit. Care Med., V.161, 2000
- 65. Results of Clean-up Ireland banned coal burning: Cardiovascular death rates dropped 10.5% Hong Kong banned high-sulfur fuel oil: Cardiovascular death rates dropped 2.5%
- 66. Air Pollution and Medical Care Costs Millions of Medicare records for 183 U.S. Cities (patient ages 65-84) Analyzed for Medicare costs and air pollution exposure levels, city by city Controlled for other illnesses, smoking, and economic status Air Pollution and Medical Care Use by Older Americans: A Cross Area Analysis. Fuchs, Victor and Rosen, Sarah Health Affairs, vol. 21, no. 26 pp207-214
- 67. Air Pollution and Medical Care Costs Every 10 ppb particulates= $177 extra cost to Medicare per patient per year Air Pollution and Medical Care Use by Older Americans: A Cross Area Analysis. Fuchs, Victor and Rosen, Sarah Health Affairs, vol. 21, no. 26 pp207-214
- 68. Air Pollution and Medical Care Costs Charlotte= $94 Million extra Medicare costs per year
- 69. Air Pollution and Medical Care Costs Rowan County= $5.7 Million extra Medicare costs per year
- 70. Annual Asthma Costs NC 7 th & 8 th Graders: $14 million Hospitalizations $ 1.4 million E.R. visits All NC children: $100 million Add M.D. visits, prescription costs, wages lost by parents who miss work, and costs for other children’s age groups NC Dept. HHS-Div. Of Public Health, 2001
- 71. Asthma in Buncombe County ~50% Children in BC are on Medicaid 25-30% Asthma symptoms (10% diagnosed) $400,000 BCHD budget devoted to asthma care per year NC Dept. HHS-Div. Of Public Health, 2001
- 72. Cost Shifting-We all pay Health care costs not paid by the auto, trucking, oil and electric utilities that generate pollution Private insurance premiums Lost school revenue for absences Federal taxes for Medicare (especially for the elderly) State taxes for Medicaid (especially for children and disabled) County taxes for BCHD Hospital and health care providers pass on the costs of the uninsured
- 73. Southeast Region 33,000,000 people living in significant air pollution 11,000 excess deaths yearly due to air pollution $20 billion in excess health care costs per year
- 74. SAMI Data Independent analysis EPA, NPS, USFS commissioned separate, more comprehensive (but still very limited) health impact assessment of SAMI data, $11.5 billion to $44 billion annual health care savings in SE U.S. depending on degree of PM 2.5 reduction by 2010
- 75. Impaired Visibility = Particulates
- 76. SAMI Data Independent analysis $1 billion to $3 billion annual recreation and tourism benefits lost due to air pollution and haze
- 77. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: Our Smokestacks Regional Smokestacks Vehicles Land Use and Transportation Planning—containing sprawl 5 Non-road engines—lawn, farm, marine, rail, construction, recreation and industrial
- 78. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: Our Smokestacks Clean Smokestacks legislation We are paying to clean up our power plants Energy efficiency
- 79. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: Regional Smokestacks Strengthen and enforce the Clean Air Act at the federal level Negotiate with our neighboring states/TVA Sue Thy Neighbor
- 80. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: Vehicles Car purchase is the most important environmental decision you will make Alternative fuel / hybrid cars Convert vehicle fleets Low sulfur fuel—statewide at all grades Enforce diesel improvements/decrease truck stop idling
- 81. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: Land Use and Transportation Planning More lanes=more sprawl (Atlanta) Better “Transportation” solutions Decrease Vehicle miles traveled Mass Transit funding Bikeways, sidewalks, greenways an integral part of the transport plan (obesity epidemic)
- 82. 5 Pieces to the Pollution Puzzle: 5 Non-road engines—lawn, farm, marine, rail, construction, recreation and industrial Federal regulation of all forms of diesel and gas engines Retrofit with catalytic converters
- 83. Final Points Health and economic issue Prioritize air quality improvement in decision making Over half the problem is traffic Massive hidden health costs in transportation and power pollution Imposed risk on all population groups, especially our children and elderly
- 85. Web Sites www.lungusa.org (Annotated Bibliography of Recent Studies…) www.lungnc.org www.healtheffects.org (Understanding the Health Effects of Components of the Particulate Matter Mix: Progress and Next Steps) www.epa.gov/airnow www.nga.org www.landofsky.org/airquality www.cleartheair.org www.airtrust.org www.saminet.org