36 - CAPE GAZETYE, Friday, June 9 - June 15, 1995
Majority of American
children at risk from
ozone air pollution
A report published recently by
the American Lung Association
estimates that 48,824 children
four years of age or younger, and
81,873 children ages five to 13 in
Delaware are potentially at risk
for developing breathing disorders
such as asthma attacks, caused by
ozone air pollution. Nationwide,
27.1 million children 13 years of
age or younger are at risk.
"Danger Zones: Ozone Air Pol-
lution and Our Children", esti-
mates that 53.9 percent of Ameri-
can's children live in areas with
unhealthful air but are not protect-
ed by the current federal air quali-
ty standards for ozone or smog.
According to the American Lung
Association, recent research sug-
gests that the current federal stan-
dard does not effectively protect
the public's health.
"Our study dramatically illus-
trates a major health threat to
America's children,' said John
Goodill, M.D., chairperson of
environmental health sub-com-
mittee of Delaware. "Unfortu-
nately, while the Lung Associa-
tion continues to fight for strict
clean air standards to protect
Americans' health, Congress is
attempting to weaken - or even
destroy - those protections."
Currently pending in Congress
are bills that would dramatically
alter the Clean Air Act, the land-
mark law that guides this nation's
campaign for cleaner air. One
such bill would repeal the act
entirely; others target specific sec-
tions of the act, such as calling for
relaxed deadlines for states to
meet clean air goals.
"Lung disease is the third lead-
ing cause of death in America and
can have a devastating effect on
children," Goodill said. "Chil-
dren's lungs are not just miniature
versions of adult lungs. They are
especially sensitive to infection
and pollution. Their lungs are still
growing, creating millions of air
sacs throughout childhood. Early
damage can have far-reaching
consequences."
Children are especially vulnera-
ble to the effects of ozone air pol-
lution because of a number of fac-
tors, including their exposure to
ozone and a variety of physiologi-
cal factors. Ozone, the main com-
ponent of smog, acts as a powerful
respiratory irritant at the levels of
frequently found in most of the
nation's Urban areas during sum-
mer months. Symptoms include
shortness of breath, chest pain
when inhaling deeply, wheezing
and coughing. Overall, the annual
health costs of outdoor pollution,
including ozone, are estimated by
the American Lung Association to
be $50 billion.
For further information about
how the public can join in the
fight for clean air, contact the
American Lung Association of
Delaware, at 1-800-LUNG-USA.
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