Article Figures & Data
Tables
EXPOSURE SYSTEM AFFECTED HEALTH EFFECTS STUDY Short term Cardiovascular Increased rates of myocardial infarction and ischemia in those at risk Bhaskaran et al,3 2009
Pope et al,4 2006
Szyszkowicz,5 2009
Brook et al,6 2010Exacerbation of cardiac failure Brook,7 2008
Goldberg et al,8 2009
Medina-Ramón et al,9 2008
Pope et al,10 2008Increased incidence of arrhythmia Pope et al,11 2004 Increased incidence of deep vein thrombosis Pope,12 2009
Baccarelli et al,13 2009Increased incidence of stroke Lokken et al,14 2009 Respiratory Increased wheeze Clark et al,15 2010 Exacerbation of asthma Delfino et al,16 2009
Holguin,17 2008
O’Connor et al,18 2008
McCreanor et al,19 2007Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Halonen et al,20 2008
Sint et al,21 2008
Zanobetti et al,22 2008Bronchiolitis and other respiratory infections Karr et al,23 2009
Ségala et al,24 2008Increased emergency department visits Stieb et al,25 2009 Long term General Increased mortality Krewski et al,26 2009
Pope et al,27 2009Cardiovascular Increased myocardial infarction Rosenlund et al,28 2009
Tonne et al,29 2009Accelerated development of atherosclerosis Brook et al,6 2010
HEI Panel on the Health Effects of Traffic-Related Air Pollution,30 2010Increased blood coagulability Pope,12 2009
Liu et al,31 2009Increase in systemic inflammatory markers Simkhovich et al,32 2008 Respiratory Increased incidence of pneumonia Neupane et al,33 2010 Increased incidence of lung cancer Laden et al,34 2006 Impaired lung development in children Gauderman et al,35 2004 Development of new asthma Clark et al,15 2010
Jerrett et al,36 2008
Künzli et al,37 2009
Lindgren et al,38 2009
Dell et al,39 2008Reproductive Increased incidence of preterm birth Wu et al,40 2009
Stillerman et al,412008
Brauer et al,42 2008Increased incidence of low birth weight Salam,43 2008 POLLUTANT SOURCE CONDITIONS Particulate matter Traffic Summer and winter Forest fires Wood smoke Infiltrates indoors Ultrafine particulate matter (< 0.1 μm in diameter) Diesel traffic Close to busy roads Ozone Secondary to aerochemical reaction to nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds Summer afternoons; heat and sunshine Nitrogen dioxide Traffic Close to busy roads Carbon monoxide Traffic Close to busy roads Sulfur dioxide Industrial plants—combustion and refining of coal, oil, and metal-containing ores Close to industrial sources Gasoline, although sulfur content has recently been reduced FACTOR VULNERABLE GROUP Age Children, who spend more time outdoors, are more physically active, inhale more air per kilogram of body weight, and whose developing lungs are more vulnerable to damage Seniors Pre-existing disease or condition Patients with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, ASHD, CCF, or diabetes49 Patients who are pregnant Increased exposure People exercising outdoors Outdoor workers -
ASHD—arteriosclerotic heart disease, CCF—congestive cardiac failure, COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
-
HEALTH RISK AQHI CATEGORY HEALTH MESSAGES AT-RISK POPULATION* GENERAL POPULATION Low 1 to 3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities Ideal air quality for outdoor activities Moderate 4 to 6 Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if you are experiencing symptoms No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms of coughing and throat irritation High 7 to 10 Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities. Children and the elderly should also take it easy Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if you experience symptoms of coughing and throat irritation Very high Above 10 Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. Children and the elderly should avoid outdoor physical exertion Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you experience symptoms of coughing and throat irritation -
AQHI—Air Quality Health Index.
-
↵* People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor’s usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.
-
Data from Environment Canada.51 This table is adapted from an official work published by the Government of Canada; this adaptation has not been produced in affiliation with or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
-
Additional Files
CFPlus Additional Information
This data supplement contains Figures 1-3 demonstrating use of the Air Quality Health Index.
Files in this Data Supplement:
In this issue
Jump to section
- Article
- Abstract
- Case description
- Sources of information
- Burden of illness from air pollution
- Health effects of air pollution
- Mechanisms of action of air pollution
- Sources of air pollution
- Air Quality Health Index
- Other interventions to protect patients from air pollution
- Case resolution
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Footnotes
- References
- Figures & Data
- CFPlus
- eLetters
- Info & Metrics