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Amy Perkins
Brooke Downs
Writing 150
4 December 2014
Asthma and Air Pollution: The Facts and the Solutions
I am asthmatic, which means that my airways narrow when something triggers the
condition, like pollution. There are many triggers, ranging from cigarette smoke to cats to crazy
amounts of perfume, and even cold air will sometimes do the trick. One nonfiction writer, Kimi
Eisele, listed her own triggers: My own [asthma] is induced by any number of factors: dust mite
dung, dry wind, cat dander, cold air, rabbits, wood smoke, pollen, guinea pigs, cigarettes, grass,
horses, and some species of trees, among other things. Every asthmatics triggers are different,
but one thing is sure: air pollution is never a good thing for an asthmatics lungs. This paper will
discuss asthma and air pollution in general, the effects of air pollution on pre-existing cases, and
if pollution causes new cases of asthma to develop. It will also discuss many solutions to the
problem of air pollution, most significant of which is the use and development of
environmentally friendly and environmentally efficient cars.
Asthma
As defined by Leanne Holmes, a nurse who specializes in severe asthma cases, asthma
is used to describe the disease process in which, when exposed to a specific stimulus, a patient's
airways become hyper-responsive, leading to infiltration of cells in the airways In simpler
terms, asthma is when a persons lungs are affected by certain stimuli, causing certain cells to
come into the airway, which causes the airway to swell and makes it difficult for air to get
through (Holmes). When my lungs are affected, they close up, and I have to breathe deeper and

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faster in order to get the same amount of air into my lungs as a person who does not have
asthma. When severe enough, these tightening episodes are referred to as asthma attacks. The
fastest way to treat an emergency asthma attack is through albuterol, a special medication in the
form of an inhaler that decreases the swelling. This means that many asthmatics have to carry
around an inhaler with them at all times in case of an emergency, which can become
burdensome, especially when exercising and doing other activities.
Asthma is most common in children, though it can be developed as an adult. In fact,
according to Lilian Tzivian, a faculty member in the Department of Health Services Evaluation
at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, Children also inhale a higher
volume of air per body weight compared with adults. This means that children are much more
likely to breathe in much more air than adults, and with that air comes a multitude of pollutants
and chemicals.
Air Polluters
As discussed before, asthmatic triggers come in all shapes and sizes. However, Eisele
argues that the two biggest triggers of asthma are the particles that industrial buildings and car
engines produce. These are the most extreme transgressors, the two that affect the most people in
the worst ways, because they are the most prominent in everyday lifestyles, and produce the
most pollutants in the largest concentration. As identified by Eisele, these particles are in the air
we breathe every day.
I would argue that the largest factor that has played a role in air pollution is car
emissions. This may be a principal offender for many reasons. First, cars have become the
western way of life; its difficult to get anywhere without some sort of automobile, especially in
the western United States. Even with the invention of hybrid, and even electric, cars, gas is still

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the dominant vehicle on the highway. These gas engines release particles into the air, which then
stimulate poor asthmatics airways, which causes their airways to swell.
Another thing that directly affects the development of asthma, especially in children, is
the proximity of the persons home to an industrial area. In order for children to properly
develop, they need exercise, especially outdoors. However, if a child lives too close to factories
or industrial areas, the pollution produced by these factories can adversely affect a childs
development, specifically in the respiratory system. Although development of asthma and air
pollution have not yet been directly correlated, children with pre-existing asthma are much more
likely to have serious repercussions when they spend too much time in the smoggy air.
(Ripabelli, Tamburro and Sammarco)
Pre-Existing Asthma
For many years, many different studies have shown that air pollution negatively impacts
already existing asthma. Several long-term, multimillion-dollar studies are now underway to
track children from the womb onward, measuring precisely what contaminants they're exposed to
and recording who develops asthma and who doesn't. (Eisele) As these studies progress, they
continue to show a distinct correlation between worsening asthma and high pollution levels.
Does Air Pollution Cause Asthma?
Along with studies dealing with the worsening of pre-existing asthma due to pollution,
scientists have also been studying whether or not pollution can cause new cases of asthma to
develop. There have been many, many studies conducted about the subject, but the correlation
has not been proven causationyet. However, there has been abundant correlation, and in nearly
every study done there has been evidence that pollution could lead to new cases of asthma.
(Ripabelli, Tamburro and Sammarco)

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Solutions
People can help prevent the problem of poor air quality from worsening, and possibly
causing, asthma. The solution begins at a worldwide level, then moves down to the United States
and its agencies, and then down to a community and a personal level.
First, the international level. The truth is, the United States can do however much it wants
to improve air quality, but the global challenge of climate change requires a global solution
(Miller). We, as the US, need to work together with other countries to truly improve the quality
of our air, and in doing so, improve our citizens quality of life. The United States has already
created ties with countries around the world, especially in Africa, Brazil, China and Indonesia, to
help assist those countries in creating environmentally friendly habits and systems to help with
the worldwide air pollution problem.
The biggest example of the United States collaborating on pollution-reducing strategies
happened at the APEC Summit in China in 2014. China and the United States are two of the
biggest offenders in air pollution, so this joint effort could make a huge impact on the overall air
quality all throughout the world. At the Summit, President Obama and Chinese President Xi
Jinping both agreed to significantly reduce their carbon emissions over a long period of time; the
United States by 2025, and China by 2030. (Hoye)
Another world example happened in 2009 at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference, often called the Copenhagen Summit. At the Summit, no real treaties were signed.
Many world leaders debated for days in an attempt to come up with a way to decrease air
pollution and fight climate change. (Summary: Copenhagen Climate Summit) Although the
Conference seemed to be an enormous mess, there were some positives that came from it. Most
importantly, countries around the world learned that climate change is a significant issue for

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every other country in the world as well. Everyone has it at the front of their minds, and all of the
countries at the conference are as worried about the air quality as the United States is. (Brookes)
This has significance because it allows us to really start to talk about solutions to the problem.
Even if the first meeting didnt go very well, we now have a point that we can start from.
Countries are now able to address this as a world issue, as was exemplified by the United States
and China in their APEC Summit agreement.
The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is the United States main organization
in charge of issues dealing with the environment. On a personal level, each individual can do a
lot to help reduce gas emissions and improve overall air quality. The EPA has given many
excellent guidelines on how to reduce your carbon footprint, especially on the road.
I think that the solution many people think of first is to simply reduce the use of your car,
which the EPA suggests. They recommend carpooling, taking public transportation, walking, and
biking as much as possible. Their website says, Leaving your car at home just two days a week
can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year. If everyone did
that, the reductions could be enormous. They also suggest telecommuting, which simply means
working from home, either over the phone or over the internet. If this is possible for you, it can
be an incredibly effective way to lower gas emissions and prevent asthmatic cases from getting
worse.
Second, the EPA says to drive safely and efficiently. Dont accelerate too quickly, avoid
pressing the gas and brake pedals too hard, dont idle for too long, and make sure that you unload
any unnecessary cargo to ensure the best fuel economy. They say that two-wheel drive is more
efficient than four wheel drive, so use two-wheel when its safe to do so. (Reducing the
Environmental Impact of Driving) Cruise control also ensures that you arent always accelerating

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and decelerating, which both release more pollutants into the air. (What You Can Do: On the
Road) Another efficient way to make sure that youre releasing fewer pollutants into the air is to
use renewable fuels. Biodiesel and E85 are both made out of renewable resources, such as corn.
These resources are usually mixed with varying amounts of gasoline, which makes the emissions
from the car much cleaner for the air. (Alternative Fuel Strategies)
Third, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests making sure your car is always
working at its best. A healthy car means that youre reducing emissions, which is the overall
goal. Tire pressure and wear also fall under this category; good tire pressure and tread on your
tires help increase fuel economy and reduce pollutants in the air.
Although all of these strategies help significantly in the reduction of fuel emissions, many
scientists, including those at the Environmental Protection Agency, agree that the best way to
reduce air pollutants coming from automobiles is to improve the automobiles themselves. The
article Air Quality and Travel Behavior goes so far as to say that no change can really occur
from simply doing the things mentioned above. If we really want to make a difference in the air
quality of the world, we need to improve the technology in our cars. (Bae) The Environmental
Protection Agency also mentions this as a substantial reduction, saying that consumers should
purchase the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs. Again, this decision
would significantly reduce the emissions that your car is putting into the air, which also means
less pollutants into asthmatics lungs.
It may seem drastic to be making all of these changes for the sole benefit of asthmatics.
However, these changes dont just affect asthmatics; they affect everyone. Car emissions and
other air pollutants contribute to greenhouse gases, which cause global warming. Impacts of
global warming include a rise in sea level, which increases flooding, longer wildfire seasons,

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intensified heat waves and droughts, disruptions to food supplies, and an increase in extreme
weather. (Global Warming Impacts) Everyone has to eat, and everyone is affected by the
weather. Even if no one you ever know has exacerbated, or possibly even developed, asthma
because of air pollutants, you will be affected by something in the air. Reducing carbon
emissions is never a bad thing.
Conclusion
Clearly, there are plenty of ways for everyone to reduce air pollutants, whether it be on
the global, national, or personal level. However you personally choose to do it, your
contributions can make an impact on global air quality. These contributions, no matter how big
or small, will make a difference for me personally; when people go the extra mile to ride the
train to work, or to buy a hybrid car, it helps me breathe easierliterally. These extra steps will
help already existing asthmatics breathe better, and although still not proven, they may prevent
new asthma cases from forming.

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Works Cited
"Alternative Fuels Strategies." US Department of Transportations. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
Bae, Chang-Hee Chris. "Air Quality and Travel Behavior." Journal Of The American Planning
Association 59.1 (1993): 65. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Brookes, Tom, and Tim Nuthall. "What Did the Copenhagen Climate Summit Achieve?" BBC
News. BBC, 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
"Combating Pollution Requires International Solutions." VOA News. Voice of America, 2012.
Web. Dec. 2014.
Dong, Guang-Hui. "Air Pollution Ane Health Effects in Children." Air Pollution-Monitoring,
Modelling and Health. By Yungling Leo Lee. InTech, 337-56. Print.
Eisele, Kimi. Air Pollution May Contribute to the Increased Incidence of Asthma. Pollution:
Opposing Viewpoints. Ch. 2. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2006. Print.
"Global Warming Impacts." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
Holmes, Leanne Jo. "Definitions, Diagnosis and Phenotypical Treatment of Severe Asthma."
Primary Health Care 22.8 (2012): 32-38. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Nov. 2014
Hoye, Matt. "White House and China Set Historic Greenhouse Emissions Levels." CNN. 12 Nov.
2104. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
Miller, Debra A. "Combating Pollution Requires International Solutions." Pollution. Detroit:
Greenhaven, 2012. Print.
"Reducing the Environmental Impact of Driving." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 01
Oct. 2014. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.

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Ripabelli, Giancarlo, et al. "Asthma Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Children and
Adolescents Living Around an Industrial Area." BioMed Central (2013): 1-16. Research
Article.
"Summary: Copenhagen Climate Summit." Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Web. 3
Dec. 2014.
Tzivian, Lilian. "Outdoor Air Pollution and Asthma in Children." Journal of Asthma 48.5
(2011): 470-481. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.
"What You Can Do On the Road." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 02 Dec. 2014.