2. Are certain population groups particularly
vulnerable?
Are there
specific population groups that should
be brought into special attention?
WHO
states: "A number of groups
within the population have potentially
increased vulnerability
to the effects of exposure
to air pollutants.
These groups
comprise
- those who are innately
more susceptible
to the effects of exposure to air pollutants
than others,
- those who become more
susceptible
for example as a result of environmental
or social factors or personal behaviour
and
- those who are exposed
to unusually large amounts of air pollutants.
Members of the last group
are vulnerable
by virtue of exposure rather than as a
result of personal susceptibility.
Groups with
innate
susceptibility include those with
genetic
predisposition that render them unusually
sensitive, for example, to the broncho-constrictor
effects of ozone
or liable to produce an unusually marked
inflammatory
response on exposure to allergens.
Very young children and unborn babies
are also particularly sensitive to some
pollutants.
Groups which
develop increased sensitivity include
the aged, those with cardio-respiratory
disease or diabetes, those who are exposed
to other toxic materials that add to or
interact with air pollutants and those
who are socioeconomically deprived. When
compared with healthy people, those with
respiratory disorders (such as asthma
or chronic bronchitis) may react more
strongly to a given exposure both as a
result of increased responsiveness to
a specific dose and/or as a result of
a larger internal dose of some pollutants
than in normal individuals exposed to
the same concentration of pollutants.
Increased particle deposition and retention
has been demonstrated in the airways of
subjects suffering from obstructive
lung diseases.
Lastly, those
exposed to unusually large amounts of
air pollutants perhaps as a result of
living near a main road or spending long
hours outdoors, may be vulnerable
as result of their high exposure."
More...
Source
& © : WHO
Europe (2004)
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