Environmental pollution has a significant impact on respiratory health, affecting individuals with and without pre-existing lung conditions. Here are some key points based on the provided search results:
1. Impact on Respiratory Health:
General Impact: Environmental air pollution has a direct impact on human health, contributing to an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer, as well as a rapid decline in lung function
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Specific Vulnerable Groups: It is particularly dangerous for people living with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory ailments. Vulnerable groups include babies, children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease
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Susceptible Populations: Children, the elderly, and those of low socio-economic status are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution
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Long-Term Effects: Living with ozone pollution long-term may cause lasting damage to respiratory health, including increased risk of metabolic disorders, impact on the central nervous system, and increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease mortality
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2. Specific Health Risks:
Respiratory Irritants: Particulate matter and ozone are known respiratory irritants that can aggravate asthma and are risk factors for cardiovascular disease
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Acute and Chronic Effects: Exposure to air pollutants can lead to acute effects such as increases in symptoms, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, as well as chronic effects such as increases in the incidence of asthma, COPD, and lung cancer
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3. Vulnerable Groups:
Children and Adolescents: Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution than adults, and the human respiratory system develops from in utero to adolescence
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Elderly and Minority Children: The elderly and minority children have higher prevalence of asthma and higher rates of asthma-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths than others
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4. Global Impact:
Mortality and Morbidity: Air pollution is responsible for an increase in the incidence of and number of deaths due to cardiopulmonary, neoplastic, and metabolic diseases, and it is closely related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma, respiratory disease, and high rates of hospitalization
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5. Specific Risks:
Pregnant Women: Pregnant women exposed to air pollution can affect fetal brain growth, and air pollution is also linked to childhood cancers
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Lung Conditions: Air pollution can irritate airways and increase lung symptoms, especially for individuals with lung conditions
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