Asthma

Air pollution can make it harder to breathe. It can also cause other symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, and a burning feeling in the lungs.

Several air pollutants can affect asthma. In the Sydney region the two key air pollutants for people with asthma are ozone and particles. When ozone and particle pollution is high, adults and children with asthma are more likely to have symptoms.

Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks.

People with asthma will generally experience health effects earlier and at lower ozone levels than less sensitive individuals.

Ozone can aggravate asthma. When ozone levels are high, more people with asthma have attacks that require a doctor's attention or the use of additional medication.

Ozone makes people more sensitive to allergens, which are the most common triggers for asthma attacks. People with asthma are also more severely affected by the reduced lung function and irritation that ozone causes in the respiratory system.

Particle pollution contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. The size of particles is linked to their potential for causing health problems.

If you have lung disease, and you are exposed to particles, you may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as normal. You may have respiratory symptoms including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. Particles can also increase your susceptibility to respiratory infections.

If you have these symptoms talk with your doctor.

Steps to protect your health

Get to know how sensitive you are to air pollution

Notice your asthma symptoms when you are physically active. Do they happen more often when the air is more polluted? If so, you may be sensitive to air pollution. Also notice any asthma symptoms that begin up to a day after you have been outdoors in polluted air.

Air pollution can make you more sensitive to asthma triggers, like mold and dust mites. If you are more sensitive than usual to indoor asthma triggers, it could be due to air pollution outdoors.

Know when and where air pollution may be bad

Ozone is often worst on hot summer days, especially in the afternoons and early evenings. Particle pollution can be bad any time of year, even in winter. It can be especially bad when the weather is calm, allowing air pollution to build up. Particle levels can also be high: near busy roads, during rush hour, and when there is smoke in the air from wood heaters or during bush fires.

Plan activities when and where pollution levels are lower

Regular exercise is important for staying healthy, especially for people with asthma. By adjusting when and where you exercise, you can lead a healthy lifestyle and help reduce your asthma symptoms when the air is polluted. In summer, plan your most vigorous activities for the morning. Try to exercise away from busy roads or industrial areas. On hot, smoggy days when ozone levels are high, think about exercising indoors.

Change your activity level

When the air is polluted, try to take it easier if you are active outdoors. This will reduce how much pollution you breathe. Even if you can't change your schedule, you might be able to change your activity so it is less intense. For example, go for a walk instead of a jog. Or, spend less time on the activity. For example, jog for 20 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

Listen to your body

If you get asthma symptoms when the air is polluted, stop your activity. Find another less intense activity.

Keep your quick-relief medicine on hand when you're active outdoors

If you do have symptoms, you'll be prepared.

Create a clean indoor air zone

Eliminate sources of air pollution from inside your home by:

Don't allow anyone to smoke inside
Use electric or flued gas heating (that pipes emissions to the outside)
Choose low emission paints, varnishes and cleaning products

Talk with your doctor

If you have asthma symptoms when the air is polluted, talk with your doctor. You could include actions to follow in your asthma management plan on high AQI days or when an air pollution health alert is issued. If you will be exercising more than usual, discuss this with your doctor. If you have symptoms during a certain type of activity, ask your doctor if air pollution could be affecting you.

More information and resources about asthma: Asthma Foundation NSW

This web page is managed and authorised by Environmental Health of Centre for Health Protection of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 31 March, 2009

Asthma

Steps to protect your health

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