Since 1973, the American Lung Association (ALA) has
sponsored Clean Air Week to educate the public about the effects
of air pollution on respiratory health. The theme for Clean Air
Week 1991 (May 6-12), "Clean Air Is Up to You!", challenges U.S.
residents to take personal responsibility for reducing the level
of indoor and outdoor air pollution. This issue of MMWR includes
reports on noncancer health risks from toxic air pollutants,
health effects from exposure to indoor paint containing
bis(tributyltin) oxide, and the clean air national health
objectives for the year 2000.
Respiratory illnesses associated with airborne pollutants
include chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, lung cancer, and
bronchial asthma (1). Although estimates of the total annual
health costs attributable to exposure to air pollution are
difficult to determine, the ALA suggests these costs range from
$40 to $50 billion each year (2).
The ALA has designated May 9 as "Don't Drive Day/Don't Drive
Alone Day." On that day, motorists are encouraged to use mass
transit, carpools, or bicycles. Other activities during Clean Air
Week will vary across the country; among them will be the Clean
Air Challenge (a pledge-based bicycling event May 4 and 5) and
educational activities for elementary and high school students on
the health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Additional information about Clean Air Week and related
activities is available from local offices of the ALA; to contact
the national offices, telephone (212) 315-8848.
Reported by: L Seegert, Media Relations, American Lung
Association, New York. Air Pollution and Respiratory Health
Activity, Div of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, Center
for Environmental Health and Injury Control, CDC.
References
Public Health Service. Healthy people 2000: national health
promotion and disease prevention objectives. Washington, DC: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
1990; DHHS publication no. (PHS)90-50212.
Cannon JC. The health costs of air pollution. New York:
American Lung Association, 1990.
Disclaimer
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