By Lisa M. Belisle, MD, MPH
Originally published May 29, 2008, The Maine Switch

Take a deep breath. Hold it. How long can you keep from breathing?

Not long, eh? In medical school, we learned that ‘air goes in and out,’ and ‘blood goes ‘round and ‘round.’ If either of these processes stops, a person dies. Quickly. If either of these is hampered significantly, a person dies—though perhaps less quickly. These systems are necessary for living.

Each of these systems needs breathable air. This is why the American Lung Association (ALA) is so heavily invested in an invisible, (seemingly) free and often overlooked substance. Frequently recognized for its anti-smoking efforts, the ALA recently released its annual air pollution-oriented “State of the Air” report.

The State of the Air report focuses on two types of air pollution: particulate matter (also called particle pollution) and ozone. Particle pollution “is a combination of fine solids and aerosols that are suspended in the air we breathe.” Small particles are hardest on the lungs, and are created by vehicles, factories, woodstoves and other fuel-burning situations. Ozone also comes indirectly from burning fuel, and increases in the summer months.

Unfortunately, ozone and particle pollution is everywhere. According to the ALA report, “two of every five people in the U.S. live in counties that have unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution.” This means 42% of Americans are regularly exposed to unhealthy air.

While unhealthy air impacts everyone, it is especially harmful for certain groups. These include younger people (under 18), older people (over 65) and those with diabetes, heart and lung diseases. Vulnerable groups have less effective air and blood moving systems:

• younger bodies have smaller, less mature systems,
• older bodies have aging, less flexible systems.
• bodies with lung disease, heart disease and diabetes have damaged systems.

Air pollution is most troublesome for bodies with damaged systems. Asthma, emphysema and other kinds of lung disease make air movement difficult. Fill that air with ozone and particles, and movement become nearly impossible. Heart disease and diabetes injure and narrow the blood (moving) vessels. Air pollution harms these blood vessels further.

All of us need to keep our blood and air moving systems working (remember what happens when they stop?). To do this, we need exercise and clean air. One way to get both is through person-powered, non-fuel-burning activities. Consider:

• Walking or biking to school or work as part of “Green Streets Day” the last Friday of every month. (FMI, visit www.portlandgreenstreets.org).
• Exploring local trails, using the “Get Up & Go Guide” at www.letsgo.org.
• Participating in the Trek Across Maine bike tour (www.mainelung.org).
• Joining me for informal weekly “Walk with the Doc” excursions along the Royal River in Yarmouth, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. (FMI, visit www.walkthewalkdoc.com.)

Whether you are walking, biking, exploring or trekking, you will be having a positive effect on your air and blood moving systems. You will also be having a positive effect on the state of the air—air that you and every other person needs to live.

Now, take another deep breath.

And enjoy.