Improving Life, One Breath at a Time

1-800-LUNG-USA www.lunginfo.org

Ozone Air Pollution and HealthPerspectives for Delaware

Kevin M. StewartDirector of Environmental Health

American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic

Delaware Air Regulation Development Regulation 1142 Section 2

“Control of NOx Emissions from Large Boilers and Process Heaters At Petroleum Refineries”

Committee Meeting

June 21, 2006DNREC AQM Conference Room

715 Grantham LaneNew Castle, Delaware

WINDWIND

Ozone and the pollutants that cause it can be transported long distances…..

OZONE

VOC

NOx

Ozone pollution • Comes from many sources,

including–

Ozone is linked to:• shortness of breath

• chest pain when inhaling deeply

• wheezing and coughing and

• increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Ozone is linked to:• shortness of breath

• chest pain when inhaling deeply

• wheezing and coughing and

• increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Public Health RisksAre SignificantPublic Health RisksAre Significant

Exposure to ozone increases…

• risk of premature mortality• pulmonary inflammation• the risk of asthma attacks• the need for medical treatment and for

hospitalization of persons with asthma• aggravation of COPD

And increasing evidence that it can• induce (cause) asthma

Who are at risk from ozone?

• Children with Asthma

• Adults with Asthma

• People w/ chronic lung diseases

• Seniors

• Children 18 & under

Sources: American Lung Association analysis based on data from U. S. Bureau of the Census, NHIS, and BRFSS for 2004.

194

109

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150

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250

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Risk Category

Populations at Risk from Air Pollution in Delaware -- 2004 Estimates

Respiratory Hospital Admissionsby Daily Maximum Ozone LevelRespiratory Hospital Admissionsby Daily Maximum Ozone Level

114

112

110

108

106

104

102

114

112

110

108

106

104

102

Ozone concentration (ppm)Ozone concentration (ppm)

Res

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.01 .02 .03 .04 .05 .06 .07 .08 .09 .1.01 .02 .03 .04 .05 .06 .07 .08 .09 .1

(Burnett et al, 1994)(Burnett et al, 1994)

Rough Annual Estimates of Adverse Public Health Outcomes from Ozone Exposure in Delaware• Respiratory Hospital Admissions 500• Asthma ER Visits 300• Asthma Attacks 20,000• Restricted Activity Days 65,000• Increased Symptom Days 270,000

- ALA of Mid-Atlantic estimate based on data from Air Pollution and Public Health in Pennsylvania, report of PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, March 2006, and US Bureau of the Census data, US EPA ozone data.

Graph taken from

The Exposure-Response Curve for Ozone and Risk of Mortality and the Adequacy of Current Ozone Regulations

Michelle L. Bell, Roger D. Peng, and Francesca Dominici in Environmental Health Perspectivesdoi:10.1289/ehp.8816 (available at http://dx.doi.org/)Online 23 January 2006 Average of same and previous days’ ozone (ppb)

Exposure Response Curve for Ozone and Mortality (using spline approach; showing central estimate and 95% posterior interval

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Improving Life, One Breath at a Time

www.lunginfo.org

For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.”

For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lunginfo.org.

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