North Shore AIR - Health Information
Many studies link air pollution to health. While much is known about how toxic chemicals in the air affect the body, it can be very difficult to make a direct link to specific health conditions experienced by residents of a specific community. That would require a highly controlled epidemiological study.
However, one of the goals of this project was to collect and present the available health data that is known to be related to air pollution, in order to determine if elevated levels were seen or are increasing in the target communities when compared to data for the rest of the State. Identifying health issues that are elevated, while not necessarily due to air pollutants, allows for prioritization of those pollutants that may be linked, and suggests where further study may be needed.
Health information was collected for the three communities of Salem, Beverly, and Marblehead. Data was collected on respiratory diseases (including asthma); cardiovascular and heart-related illnesses; and cancer. All of the data is publicly available and was collected from statistics published by The State of Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) or the American Lung Association. Additional health studies identified were published by the Harvard School of Public Health and the MA DPH related to air pollution and health within the three communities. See Additional Health Studies
Air Pollution and Health
Air pollution is very dangerous, and society pays a very large price for the impact toxic air pollutants have on our health. These impacts include tens of thousands of premature deaths from heart and lung disease annually, as well as hospital admissions, emergency room visits, absences from school or work, and restricted activities related to asthma attacks. ¹
The American Lung Association cites recent studies showing that as ozone levels increase, the risk of premature death also increases, especially among people with emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. It goes on to say that pollution from microscopic solids and aerosols "has been found to induce heart attacks and strokes, cause lung cancer, trigger asthma attacks and increase the need for medical care and hospital admissions." ²
People at Risk for Illness or Death due to Air Pollution
An analysis of the American Lung Association’s State of the Air: 2005 report shows that approximately 45 percent of people living in Essex County are considered to be in high risk groups.³ These conditions include heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. Children and the elderly are also at high risk, as they are more likely to get sick or die from exposures to pollutants found in the air. The list of people vulnerable to health problems from pollution is listed in Table 1.
The importance of the effect that air pollution has on heart disease cannot be underestimated. Adults with cardiovascular disease account for over 26 percent of the total population of Essex County, while people with all lung diseases combined accounts for only approximately 13 percent of the county population.
Table 1
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ESSEX COUNTY GROUPS AT RISK – Sensitive Populations
| Pediatric Asthma: |
15,632 |
| Adult Asthma: |
54,725 |
| Chronic Bronchitis: |
22,680 |
| Emphysema: |
8,720 |
| Cardiovascular Disease: |
192,392 |
| Diabetes: |
38,436 |
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| Total Population Essex County: |
737,848 |
| Population Under 18: |
183,687 |
| Population 65 & Over: |
99,694 |
Source: From: http://lungaction.org/reports/sota05_county.htm
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¹ http://www.environmentaldefense.org/cleanairforlife.cfm?subnav=da_smogandsoot" accessed on 12/7/05
² http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=564421 accessed on 11/29/05
³ From: American Lung Association State of the Air 2005, http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=564423 accessed 11/13/05
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