We are exposed to air pollution daily. When we step outside, we inhale pollutants from particulate matter (such as smoke or dust), burning fossil fuels, wildfires and more. For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, medical professionals at Baylor College of Medicine explain how air pollution is detrimental to our health, particularly our lung health.
"We are happy to see the number of smokers declining, but unfortunately, the amount of air pollutants that we're inhaling can definitely affect our lung health too," said Dr. Farrah Kheradmand, professor of medicine and pulmonologist at Baylor.
She adds that when you inhale any smoke, you are bombarding your lungs with tiny inorganic matter, which causes havoc on the lung tissue and the immune cells that are trying to defend you.
Environmental pollutants can have different effects on different people. Inherited genes can determine how your body reacts to air pollution. If you have been affected by air pollution, you may notice symptoms such as a scratchy throat, itchy eyes, shortness of breath and a persistent cough.
"If you develop a persistent cough when you walk outdoors, then it is time to alert your physician," Kheradmand said.
"Studies have shown that long-term exposure to air pollution may also influence chronic diseases like heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," said Dr. Elaine Symanski, professor in the Center for Precision Environmental Health.
Vulnerable populations who are the most at risk of air pollution affecting their health include the elderly, those who have a history of smoking (at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years) and have developed chronic obstructive lung disease and those with asthma, regardless of age.
"Pay attention to local air quality alerts and ozone action days as communicated by the Houston Health Department or the National Weather Service," Dr. Kristina Walker Whitworth, associate professor in the Center for Precision Environmental Health. "Generally, if you are a member of a vulnerable population, consider avoiding time outdoors during these alerts."
"I wouldn't recommend jogging on a day where the air quality is poor," Kheradmand said. "The air quality should be an indicator for you not to do a lot of heavy breathing exercises outdoors."
