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Many of us experience some kind of air pollution-related symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Even for healthy people, polluted air can cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Your actual risk depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air.
People most susceptible to severe health problems from air pollution are:
- Individuals with heart or lung disease
- Individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema
- Pregnant women
- Outdoor workers
- Children whose lungs are still developing
- Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors
High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems:
- Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness
- Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen
- Damaged cells in the respiratory system
Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects:
- Accelerated aging of the lungs and loss of lung capacity
- Decreased lung function
- Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possible cancer
- Shortened life span
Health Effects of Specific Pollutants Ground-level Ozone
Ozone is a strong irritant that can cause constriction of the airways, forcing the respiratory system to work harder in order to provide oxygen. It can also cause other health problems:
- Aggravated respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma
- Damage to deep portions of the lungs, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
- Wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea
- Reduced resistance in infection, increased fatigue, or weakened athletic performance
Particulate Matter
A series of scientific studies have linked particulate matter, especially fine particles, with a variety of significant health problems:
- Aggravated asthma, heart or lung disease
- Respiratory related hospital admissions and emergency room visits
- Acute respiratory symptoms, including severe chest pain, gasping, and aggravated coughing
- Decreased lung function, which can be experienced as shortness of breath
- Chronic bronchitis
- Premature death
Toxics
Every application for a permit is evaluated by District staff for its impact from toxic air contaminants (TACs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). The Districts' risk management plan and risk assessment guidelines policy establishes procedures and thresholds for determining the impact from new and modified emissions units. The impact for existing sources is evaluated under AB2588.
AB2588 - The Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Information and Assessment Act was enacted in September 1987. The goals of the Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Act are to collect data on the emission of toxic air contaminants, to identify facilities having localized impacts, to ascertain health risks, to notify nearby residents of significant risks and reduce the risks of "significant-risk facilities" below the level of significance. Under the Act, stationary sources are required to report the types and quantities of certain substances their facilities routinely release into the air. |
