Effects of Air Pollution in Children
“Effects of Air Pollution in Children”
Ashley Hines
SOC 120
Brooke Fishinghawk
07/05/10
“Effects of Air Pollution in Children”
Air pollution is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor in quantities and of characteristics and duration such as to be injurious to human, plant, animal life, or to property(wikipedia). The presence of pollutants in the outdoor air contributes to numerous health effects ranging fro m irritation and odor to acute and long term lung impairments, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Children, especially those under 8 years of age, are at greater risk fro m outdoor air pollution due to lung development and function(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Every time children inhale, it carries dangerous air pollutants into their bodies. Air pollution for young children has increased over the past several years. We must examine the practical obligations, the need for appropriate action, and decision making process to air pollution. It is our practical obligation to recognize what air pollution is doing to children around us. Seven basic distinctions, (part anatomic, part physiologic, part biochemical and part behavioral) render children more vulnerable than adults to polluted air; higher aspiratory; flow rate at rest; higher level of activity; closer proximity of breathing zone to the ground; nature of play activity; more mouth breathing; more frequent respiratory tract infections; and age-specific developmental factors(Kane, 1976). A child’s lungs are most susceptible to air pollution. The lungs of children contain more than 40 different kinds of cells. If the cells are damaged by air pollution, then the lungs may not achieve its full growth and function as a child matures to adulthood. Children’s exposure to air pollution is a special concern
Ashley Hines
SOC 120
Brooke Fishinghawk
07/05/10
“Effects of Air Pollution in Children”
Air pollution is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke, or vapor in quantities and of characteristics and duration such as to be injurious to human, plant, animal life, or to property(wikipedia). The presence of pollutants in the outdoor air contributes to numerous health effects ranging fro m irritation and odor to acute and long term lung impairments, such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Children, especially those under 8 years of age, are at greater risk fro m outdoor air pollution due to lung development and function(Suwanwaiphatthana, 2010). Every time children inhale, it carries dangerous air pollutants into their bodies. Air pollution for young children has increased over the past several years. We must examine the practical obligations, the need for appropriate action, and decision making process to air pollution. It is our practical obligation to recognize what air pollution is doing to children around us. Seven basic distinctions, (part anatomic, part physiologic, part biochemical and part behavioral) render children more vulnerable than adults to polluted air; higher aspiratory; flow rate at rest; higher level of activity; closer proximity of breathing zone to the ground; nature of play activity; more mouth breathing; more frequent respiratory tract infections; and age-specific developmental factors(Kane, 1976). A child’s lungs are most susceptible to air pollution. The lungs of children contain more than 40 different kinds of cells. If the cells are damaged by air pollution, then the lungs may not achieve its full growth and function as a child matures to adulthood. Children’s exposure to air pollution is a special concern
References: Schwartz, J. (2004). Air Pollution and Children 's Health. Pediatrics, 1131037-1043. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Suwanwaiphatthana, W., Ruangdej, K., & Turner-Henson, A. (2010). Outdoor Air Pollution and Children 's Health. Pediatric Nursing, 36(1), 25-32. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. (2010). Rules & Regs. Professional Safety, 55(5), 20-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Kane, D. (1976). The Air Children Breathe. Nation, 223(5), 143-144. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.