Photo © Shutterstock.
For people who haven’t given much thought to “particulate matter” as a health hazard, the wildfires in the western United States remind us of how ambient smoke affects quality of life. Even communities not devastated by the fires—and often hundreds of miles away from them—have seen and experienced the effects of the smoke from these fires.
In this month’s AJN, authors Jessica Castner and Barbara Polivka explore particulate matter exposure and its effects on health in their article “Nursing Practice and Particulate Matter Exposure” (free until September 18). Using a detailed case history as an example, the authors offer guidance on nursing assessment and interventions to address particulate matter exposures. They also remind us how easy it is to encounter these pollutants.
“Common outdoor sources of particulate matter include industrial and traffic emissions, power plant emissions, wildfires, and wood stoves. Indoor sources include smoking, wood fires, cooking, and cooking fuels . . . mold; air fresheners and scented products; aerosolized cleaning and personal care products; and dust from carpeting, upholstery, and bedding.”
Air pollution: a host of associated ills.
While we often think of the respiratory problems that can result from this type of air pollution, Castner and Polivka point out literature that also implicates particulate matter exposure in cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, kidney disease, dementia, otitis media, hypertension, pregnancy issues and other problems.
Assessment and patient education.
Several resources (including smartphone apps) for assessment as well as patient education can be found in the article, which is the Environments and Health column in this month’s AJN.
Dear Editor,
Reading your blog post, “What Are We Breathing In?” awakened a realization in me. Air pollution, be it household or ambient is an actual risk for reduced quality of life and death. Environmental health issues are major risk factors in the global burden of disease. It is interesting therefore, to note that there is work done by authors Jessica Castner and Barbara Polivka, exploring particulate matter exposure and its effect on health; having noted that environmental factors underlie more than one-fifth of deaths and disability worldwide. In addition, the authors offer nurses guidance as being in a key position to assess particulate matter exposure and to intervene by providing the population, community, family, and individuals risk reduction and care.
I feel privileged to have read this post because in the past, when I think air pollution, I think respiratory problem. However, through this post, I now know that particulate matter exposure is implicated in cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, kidney diseases, dementia, otitis media, hypertension, pregnancy issues and other problems.