Asthma is a disease generally characterized by chronic airway inflammation. Recurrent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness complaints along with changes in airway flow due to narrowing of the bronchi are the clinical features of the disease. Asthma is thought to affect approximately 300 million people in the world. Although it varies by country, its prevalence worldwide varies between 1-18%. Studies conducted in our country have found that the prevalence of asthma in children is between 6-15%. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, asthma; It is the most common non-communicable disease in children. Mortality rates in this common disease are lower than other chronic diseases. Although it is a disease that can be controlled with regular doctor follow-up and appropriate use of the treatments given, the report published by WHO in 2016 estimated that there were 383,000 deaths due to asthma at all ages in 2015. Mortality rates are higher in the elderly.
In asthma, which develops under the influence of genetic and environmental factors, one of the important environmental factors in both the development of the disease and the triggering of its symptoms is indoor and outdoor air pollution. Air pollution; It is the contamination of indoor or outdoor living spaces with any chemical, physical or biological substance that changes the natural properties of the atmosphere. Smoke generated by burning stoves, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are the most important causes of air pollution. Air pollutants that can cause major public health problems include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can cause respiratory and other diseases that can be fatal. According to WHO data in 2017; Every year, 1.7 million children under the age of 5 die due to environmental pollutants such as air pollution, passive smoking, dirty water, lack of health care and inadequate hygiene.
Indoor air pollution includes many substances such as asbestos and formaldehyde used in building construction, mold, house dust mites and endotoxins, as well as smoke and vapors resulting from tobacco and biological fuels. It occurs as a result of many different sources. Important resources in the external environment are; These are the smoke produced by burning stoves, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires. While the most researched indoor pollutants related to asthma are particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, this pollutant for the outdoor environment is particulate matter.
To summarize the effects of air pollution on asthma;
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It is an environmental risk factor for asthma,
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Air pollution Lung development is limited in children growing up in an environment.
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With the increase in air pollution levels, there is an increase in asthma symptoms, asthma exacerbations and an increase in asthma-related hospital admissions. Therefore, asthmatic patients should stay away from outdoor activities on days when air pollution is evident.
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It may lead to inability to get results from asthma treatment.
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Air pollution causes deterioration in respiratory functions.
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Air pollution can cause deterioration in lung structure and tissue.
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Air Pollution may cause deterioration in respiratory defense functions.
WHO has summarized the measures to be taken to reduce indoor air pollution in 3 parts.
Measures for the source of pollution. :
Alternative fuels: These are the most effective measures to reduce indoor air pollution. Cleaner and more effective fuels such as natural gas, electricity, solar energy and LPG should be used for heating instead of coal or biological fuels.
Stoves: Stoves should be designed to reduce smoke output and should be cleaned regularly.
Measures to be taken in the living environment:
Especially living rooms and kitchens. It should be ventilated regularly, a hood should be used in the kitchen, and chimney cleaning should be done regularly.
Precautions for user behavior:
Especially children should be prevented from being directly exposed to cigarette and stove smoke.
Again, WHO to prevent outdoor air pollution;
In industry; using clean technologies that reduce smoke emissions, Proper disposal of municipal and agricultural wastes,
In transportation; Using energy sources that do not cause air pollution such as electric vehicles, using fuels and vehicles with low sulfur content and low emissions, using railways in freight and passenger transportation, expanding public transportation,
In urban planning; Effective use of energy in buildings, prevention of losses,
In energy production; Using low-emission fuels and renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydroelectricity,
Urban and agricultural waste management; It is recommended to develop measures such as waste reduction, waste separation, recycling and reuse strategies, and biogas production in waste.
Exposure to cigarette smoke, which is both indoor and outdoor air pollutant, is very important. Smoking is a risk factor for developing asthma. Exposure to cigarette smoke before and after birth significantly increases the frequency of asthma in children. Lung development is negatively affected in babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy. The probability of wheezing in the first year of life in these babies is 4 times higher than in babies whose mothers do not smoke. Cigarette smoke, like other air pollutants, impairs asthma control. Smoking can cause resistance to inhalers and systemic steroids and increase airway inflammation. Therefore, children with asthma should not be exposed to cigarette smoke. Parents of children with asthma should definitely not smoke.
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