Causes

What's Going On | Solid Waste Pollution | Water Pollution | Air Pollution | Energy Pollution

Effects

Global Warming | Health Problems

In 2000, a study by the Clean Air Task Force found 910 total hospitalizations, 27,000 asthma attacks, and 1,440 premature deaths in one year, in Tennessee, resulting from air pollution induced illnesses.

Between 1980 and 1993, the overall death rate from asthma increased 57 percent. Since then, research has determined that nitrogen oxide particles in the air (i.e., smog) can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.

These same particles, and other gas pollutants, can aggravate respiratory function, and cause or worsen emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and hospitalizations due to compromised respiratory and cardiac function. These pollutants can either restrict or over-stimulate the immune system and limit its ability to respond to health threats.

See the Tennessee Environmental Council site for more info.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s “Activities in Tennessee” Report

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