Ground-level ozone’s association with asthma causation and low-levels effects on asthmatic children

Robert Brook, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, 3918 Taubman Center, Box 0356, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-936-4790, robdbrok@umich.edu

Several environmental air pollutants, such as particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, have been associated with increased hospitalization and mortality due to cardiovascular disease.

Throughout the last decade, epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated increased risk for cardiovascular events, including heart and stroke deaths, in relation to short- and long-term exposure to present-day concentrations of pollution, especially particulate matter. Given this influx of strong scientific evidence linking air pollution to cardiovascular disease, in May 2004, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued an expert reviewed statement declaring air pollution’s impact on cardiovascular disease as a serious public health problem.

The AHA expert panel on population and prevention science reviewed epidemiological evidence collected worldwide in order to provide healthcare professional and regulatory agencies with a comprehensive review of the literature on air pollution and cardiovascular disease. In addition to determining that exposure to ambient air pollutants increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, the AHA provides practical recommendations to healthcare providers and their patients.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will review a number of recent epidemiological studies measuring increased cardiovascular disease risk due to acute and chronic exposures to ambient air pollutants.
• Participants will learn about the American Heart Association’s stance on environmental air pollutants and cardiovascular disease and suggested policy measures and future research.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation

Public Health Impacts of U.S. Energy Use and Reasonable Solutions

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA