Regional Haze Health Effects...

…form regional haze pollution are acidic, and are transform further in the atmosphere then deposited to the earth in rain, fog and snow (generally called "acid rain"). Acid rain can result in increased acidity of lakes, rivers, and streams making them unsuitable for many fish, loons, other insect and fish-eating birds, as well as salamanders and frogs.

Fine particle pollution that contributes to regional haze can affect people's health. People most at risk include those with

Heart disease,

Lung disease,

Respiratory conditions (including asthma),

Diabetes,

Older adults and children

Fine particles are deposit deep into lungs where they can accumulate on the surface or absorbed by underlying tissue and enter the bloodstream. People with heart or lung diseases and respiratory conditions, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are at increased risk of serious effects, because particles can aggravate these diseases

In people with heart disease, particles have been link to heart attacks and cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). Recent evidence suggests that some of these cardiac effects may result from very short-term exposures, possibly as short as one hour.

People with diabetes may be at increased risk of serious effects from regional haze, possibly because of underlying cardiovascular disease.

Older adults are at increased risk from regional haze possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease or diabetes.

Children are likely to be at risk from regional haze for a number of reasons. For example, they may be more vulnerable to fine particles because their lungs are still developing. In addition, children's breathing rates can be as much as twice as rapid as adults under resting condition can, and children tend to have far higher activity levels than adults on any given day, which will result in more particles being deposited in their developing lungs.

Long-term (years) exposure of healthy people to particles has been associated with reduced lung function and the development of chronic bronchitis.

People's chances of being affected by particles increase the longer they are active outdoors and the more strenuous their activity. This is because the harder we work or exercise, the more rapidly we breathe and greater concentrations of particles reach the deepest and most sensitive areas of the lungs.

People involved in an activity that requires heavy or prolonged exertion can reduce the time they spend on the activity or substitute another activity that requires less exertion, especially on days when particle pollution levels are elevated.

Even healthy people may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particles. Symptoms may include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

People with lung disease may not breathe as deeply or as vigorously as normal, and may experience respiratory symptoms including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue. These symptoms are an indication to reduce exposure and to follow the advice of their doctor.

People with heart disease can have serious effects, such as heart attacks, with no warning symptoms. If people with heart disease have symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue, these may indicate a serious problem and should follow the advice of their doctor.

Asthmatics should already have an asthma action plan that they routinely follow, but may need to follow it more carefully when particle levels are high. Think in deeply, what I have done…