Air pollution and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Limited data suggest that outdoor air pollution (such as
ambient air pollution or traffic-related air pollution)
and indoor air pollution (such as second-hand smoking
and biomass fuel combustion exposure) are associated
with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), but there is insufficient evidence
to prove a causal relationship at this stage. It also
appears that outdoor air pollution is a significant environmental
trigger for acute exacerbation of COPD,
leading to increasing symptoms, emergency department
visits, hospital admissions and even mortality.
Improving ambient air pollutionanddecreasing indoor
biomass combustion exposureby improvinghomeventilation
are effective measures that may substantially
improve the health of the general public.
