Literature Review on the Effects of Pollution on Respiratory Illnesses in Hamilton and its Cost on the Healthcare System.

Authors

  • Nicole Rakowski McMaster University

Abstract

Many scientific findings have shown that the effects of pollution on human health are enormous, including higher rates of lung disease, respiratory illnesses and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Hamilton will continue to suffer significantly if fossil fuel emissions are not reduced. This paper investigates how individuals’ health has been affected, and how that creates a burden for the health care system in Hamilton. Understanding the main contributors to pollution in Hamilton and possible solutions to improve air quality is of significant importance as it can lead to a better understanding on the Earth’s state in the future. 

Author Biography

Nicole Rakowski, McMaster University

Nicole Rakowski has just completed her Master's degree in Global Health at McMaster University, and is currently working for the President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences in Health Care Management. She received a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from McMaster University. Nicole is currently working on a global sustainability and climate change project and has been nominated for the top 25 under 25 Environmentalists in Canada.

References

Romieu I. Air Pollution. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. 4th ed. International Labour Office. Geneva; 1998.

Brunekreef B, Holgate ST. Air pollution and health. The Lancet. 2002;360(9341): 1233-1242.

Mannino DM, Buist AS. Global burden of COPD: risk factors, prevalence, and future trends. The Lancet. 2007;370(9589): 765-773.

Clean Air Hamilton – Executive Summary. Website. Available from: http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/downloads/Health-Study-(Executive-Summary)%20.pdf. [Accessed 14th July 2016].

City of Hamilton - Health-Impacting Air Pollutants: A Mobile Monitoring Study to Identify and Rank Sources in Hamilton, Ontario. Website. Available from: http://cleanair.hamilton.ca/downloads/HIAPmobileMonitoring2008.pdf. [Accessed 14th July 2016].

Clean Air Hamilton - Air Quality Progress Report 2010. Website. Available from: www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/downloads/CAH%20Report%202010%20Final%20Copy.pdf. [Accessed 12th July 2016].

Filleul L, Dartigues JF, Tessier JF. Risk factors among elderly for short- term deaths related to high levels of air pollution. Occupation of Environmental Medicine. 2003;60: 684-688.

Finkelstein MM, Jerrett M, Deluca P, Finkelstein N, Verma DK, Chapman K, Sears, MS. Relation between income, air pollution and mortality: A cohort study. Journal of the Canadian Medical Association. 2003;169(5): 397-402.

Schwartz J. Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Respiratory Disease. Epidemiology. 1996;7(1): 20-28.

Jerrett M, Eyles J, Cole D, Reader S. Environmental equity in Canada: an empirical investigation into the income distribution of pollution in Ontario. Environmental and Planning A. 1997;29: 1777-1800.

Bates DV, Sizto R. Relationship between Air Pollutant Levels and Hospital Admissions. Canadian Public Health Association. 1983;74(2): 117-122.

Clean Air Hamilton – 2014 Air Quality Progress Report. Website. Available from: http://cleanair.hamilton.ca/downloads/2014%20CAH%20Annual%20Report.pdf. [Accessed 29th June 2016].

Clean Air Hamilton – Air Quality Health Impacts. Website. Available from: http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/default.asp?id=31. [Accessed 28th June 2016].

Regional Integrated Decisions Support (IDS). Chronic Respiratory Illnesses in Hamilton, FY15/16 Report. Hamilton: Hamilton Health Sciences; 2016.

HAQI - Ambient air quality and effects on the environment in Hamilton- Wentworth, final report of the Environment Work Group. Website. Available from: www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/downloads/HAQI-Environmental-Work-Group-Final- Report- Dec-97.pdf. [Accessed 19th June 2016].

Air Module - Debate: “Indoor Air vs. Outdoor Air Pollution: Which is the Most Serious Threat to Public Health? AMBIENT (2). Available from: http://archives.lessoncorner.com/f753dafc8919bd67f.pdf. [Accessed 10th July 2016].

Paustenbach DJ. The practice of exposure assessment: a state-of-the-art- review. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B. 2000;3: 179-291.

Ott WR, Roberts JW. Everyday exposure to toxic pollutants. Scientific American. 1998: 72-91.

Downloads

Published

2016-11-29

How to Cite

Rakowski, N. (2016). Literature Review on the Effects of Pollution on Respiratory Illnesses in Hamilton and its Cost on the Healthcare System. Global Health: Annual Review, 1(2). Retrieved from https://journals.mcmaster.ca/ghar/article/view/1317