World Asthma Day Underscores Need To Cut Air Pollution

(6 May 2003 — Washington, DC)  Environmental Defense today joined in support of World Asthma Day and called for increased efforts to reduce sources of air pollution through individual, community and governmental action.      
 
“Dirty air and asthma are directly linked, and reducing air pollution in communities can prevent asthma attacks and help protect public health,” said Dr. John Balbus, physician and director of the environmental health program at Environmental Defense. 

An estimated 20.3 million Americans suffer from asthma, including over 6 million children and teenagers.  Exposure to air pollution from cars, power plants, diesel engines and other sources is a leading contributor to asthma attacks and has been linked by some to the development of asthma in individuals. 
  
“From big cities to small towns, Americans are still breathing unhealthy air, and the result has been a growing health burden from asthma,” Dr. Balbus said.  “Millions of Americans are impacted by asthma each day and billions of dollars are spent each year on health care and days lost at work and school.  Identifying and eliminating sources of air pollution that can trigger asthma attacks and contribute to long-term lung damage is an ounce of prevention that can reduce health care costs.”

The Environmental Defense SCORECARD website (www.scorecard.org), provides users with localized information about the leading sources of pollution in their state, county or the nation as a whole.  Visitors who want to find out about the amounts and sources of asthma-triggering air pollutants in their community can go to www.scorecard.org/env-releases/cap/index.tcl 

While events like World Asthma Awareness Day help to focus global attention on the growing health problem of asthma, it is also important to focus year round on promoting policies and incentives that address pollution from various forms of transportation, a leading source of harmful air emissions.      

“Despite the progress that has been made, there is still a need to take real steps in order to ensure the nation’s air is healthy year-round.  Government at every level must address the problems of sprawl and traffic, soot-belching diesel engines, and super-polluting power plants,” Dr. Balbus said.