Health News
Air pollution related illness is taking a heavy toll on individual lives and on our overly burdened healthcare system.
In their report, "No Breathing Room: National Illness Costs of Air Pollution" the Canadian Medical Association estimated that in 2008 over 620,000 doctor's office visits would be due to air pollution, 21,000 Canadians would die
from the effects of air pollution, 22,542,500 minor illnesses would be
attributed to toxic air, and the economic costs of air pollution in Canada would top $8 billion in one year alone.
Family Health Problems
The elderly, children and the chronically ill are among those most at risk of health
problems due to indoor air pollution. They spend a lot of
time indoors; more than that, their bodily systems are not
functioning at peak. Children breathe quicker, their hearts
beat faster, and they are more susceptible to the pollutants
they inhale. Our seniors have weakening cardiovascular systems
which also makes them more vulnerable.
Even teenage health problems are becoming an area of serious concern. Many hours
regularly spent in front of computers and television has led
to a lack of exercise, and lack of outdoor activity. Youth
obesity has already become a focus of attention; now we also
need to consider the effects of an indoor, sedentary lifestyle
on their major organs and systems, affecting them physically,
emotionally, mentally, and socially.
Our Bodies and the Air We Breathe
The air we breathe is as important to our health as the food
we eat and the water we drink.
We are designed to breathe pure, clean air—a perfect mix of dust-free, pollutant-free
oxygen and nitrogen with a small percentage of argon and
carbon dioxide, and traces of neon, helium, methane, krypton,
hydrogen, nitrous oxide and xenon. As we take in air, our
cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) systems circulate oxygenated
blood to every cell in our body, fostering health and a
sense of well-being.
Today we are facing the challenges of living in polluted
air, both outside and in our homes and workplaces. Our bodies
are regularly taking in harmful foreign particles and chemicals,
which makes us highly vulnerable to diseases affecting every
area of our bodies.
Tissues with the highest oxygen needs—the myocardium (wall of the heart), the brain, and exercising
muscle—are the first affected when there is insufficient
oxygen entering the blood via the respiratory system and
the heart. Symptoms may mimic influenza and include fatigue,
headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, cognitive impairment,
and tachycardia.
Indoor Air Pollution
We live in a world filled with toxins and irritants that undermine our health.
Even in our own homes!
While outside air is causing major concerns, indoor air
is now recognized as being many times more polluted than
outside air. That combined with the fact that North Americans
typically spend close to 90 percent of the time indoors,
we are at considerable risk of a wide array of health effects:
allergies; asthma; lung cancer; respiratory infections such
as bronchitis and pneumonia; ear, nose, and throat irritation
and inflammation; COPD; and many others.
Short & Longterm Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution
Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon
after exposure or, possibly years later.
Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures.
These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches,
dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually
short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply
eliminating the person's exposure to the source of the pollution,
if it can be identified. Symptoms of some diseases, including
asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever,
may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.
Other health effects may show up either years after exposure
has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure.
These effects, which include some respiratory diseases,
heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating
or fatal. It is therefore prudent to improve the indoor
air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
- • headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath
- • worsening allergy and asthma symptoms
- • sinus congestion, cough, and sneezing
- • sinus infection and inflammation
- • eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation
- • wheezing/bronchial constriction
- • persistent cough
- • dizziness and nausea
- • tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Good News!
Those of us who have suffered for many years with air pollution
related issues can now feel vindicated: people are beginning
to understand! The issue of indoor
air quality is now the focus of media attention and the
medical and scientific communities.
Improving Air Quality
As nice as it is to be understood, this does not relieve our symptoms.
Thankfully, there are measures we can take to improve our
indoor air quality and reduce our symptoms.
The Clean Air Coach's 'canary logic' says: Eliminate toxins before they
eliminate you!
A 3 Step Plan to improve our indoor air quality can go a
long way in improving our quality of life.
Here To Help
The Clean Air Coach is here to help you create a healthier personal environment with safe,
high efficiency air purifiers and healthy living tips.
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