Air Pollution and Effects on Asthma

Air pollution exposure can worsen asthma. In particular, exposure to high levels of diesel fuel exhaust can cause people walking through those areas to have increased asthma symptoms. Those who live in and around areas with high levels of diesel fuel exhaust are more likely to develop asthma and remaining in those areas will serve to worsen symptoms. Theories as to the mechanism that causes increased asthma symptoms in those exposed to air pollution focus on black carbon as the cause and there are some methods for reducing or even reversing its impact.Recent studies indicate rather than small particulate exhaust matter and/or sulfates that black carbon pollution has a significant correlation with decreased lung function. Black carbon is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biofuels. It is pure carbon and occurs naturally as well as as a result of human combustion. It is proposed that black carbon may serve as a proxy for exposure to benzene, a volatile chemical, in the ambient air coming off of traffic pollution. Black carbon is well recognized not just as a health risk but also as a contributor to climate change as its presence contributes to warming the planet.One proposed mechanism for the worsening of asthma in the presence of high levels of air pollution, particularly black carbon, is epigenetic changes caused by DNA methalation. This is proposed to result in an increase in inflammatory mediators. This can cause decreased lung function. The air pollution exposure also appears to lead to an increase in homosystiene in the blood.It would be wise for those who live in areas with heavy automobile traffic, particularly traffic including diesel fuel powered vehicles, to avoid times of high traffic in the morning. Also, avoiding times when air pollution is supposed to reach its peak in the mid to late afternoon would be wise. Taking particular care during hot days and heat waves, when air pollution is worst, is also strongly recommended.One approach to reducing or even reversing these negative effects of air pollution may be the ingestion of Folate. Folate is an essential part of diet and human development. It occurs naturally in leafy vegetables, legumes, fortified grain products, and sunflower seeds. A lack of Folate has been linked to many health problems. Increasing foods high in Folate in your diet may lead to improvement of asthma symptoms in high air pollution areas.

Black carbon in fuel exhaust can increase severity of asthma and may act in conjunction with other chemicals in air pollution to cause further health problems. Taking steps to avoid heavy air pollution when possible and improving diet may help reduce or even reverse the impact of air pollution. Get in touch with our office for more information.