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Donna Nagy posted

Poor air quality is one of the global environmental issues around the world. “Poor air quality is linked to premature death, cancer and long-term damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems” (hearthypeople.gov, Environmental Health | Healthy People 2020). Poor air quality can affect anyone, but the most vulnerable population are those asthma, lung disease, and compromised immune systems. “According to WHO (2013), approximately 235 million people suffer from asthma: it is common among children, and the strongest risk factors are genetic factors and inhaled substances and particles that provoke an allergic response or irritates the airway” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2018).  Some of the contributing factors that cause poor air quality are motor vehicles, power plants which burn fossil fuel, all causing pollution in the environment. Some of the symptoms of poor air quality are sinus congestion, cough, headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. In 1970 The Clean Air Act was passed for the reduction of air pollution, there was an amendment in 1990 which “set the stage for protecting the ozone layer, reducing acid rain and toxic pollutants, and improving air quality and visibility” (epa.gov, overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution | US EPA).

Interventions for prevention to reduces risks when the air quality is at high risk, avoid outside exposure when the air quality is high especially the most vulnerable population the elderly, and people with asthma and respiratory issues. Avoid areas that where air pollution is increase such as near factories that burn material or high traffic areas. Monitor the air quality index through the forecast.

Nurses need to educate the population on the risk of poor air quality and the effect on their health, especially the vulnerable population. Teach signs and symptoms of exposure to air pollution and how to prevent exposure. According to the CDC they develop a program Air Quality Flag Program that alerts school and communities to the local air quality forecast so that action can be taken for protection for children especially the ones with asthma. Educate on other causes of air pollution such as smoking, open fire and burning with chemical. Also, the need for education on the need for carbon monoxide monitors in the home. Carbon monoxide is odorless a leading cause of death if it goes undetected.      

 

References  

Air Quality | CDC Retrieved From https://www.cdc.gov/air Environmental Health | Healthy People 2020 Retrieved From https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topice-objectives/topic/environmental-health

Overview of the Clean Air Act Pollution | US EPA Retrieved From https://www.epa.gov/

            Clean-air-act-overview

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2018). Foundations for Population Health in Community/

            Public Health Nursing. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.