Thursday, May 23, 2013

Combined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD

May 20, 2013 in Health

People who are consistently exposed to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke are at a greater risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for experiencing more frequent and severe symptoms of the disease, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, than those who are exposed to only one type of smoke, according to the results of a new population-based study conducted by researchers in Colombia.

The results of the study will be presented at the ATS 2013 International Conference........
"Although previous studies have shown a definite link between wood smoke exposure and the development of COPD, those studies were case-controls and case series of patients with similar disease or health profiles," said study lead author Carlos Torres-Duque, M.D., director of research at the Fundacion Neumologica Colombiana in Bogota. "This new data derives from a population-based study that looked at wood smoke exposure and the overall prevalence of COPD, as well as the characteristics of the disease and those who suffer from it." About 40 percent of the world's population uses solid fuels â€“ especially wood â€“ for cooking or heating, he noted.

For this study, Dr. Torres-Duque and his colleagues used data from the PREPOCOL (Prevalencia de la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva CrÃ³nica en Colombia) study which evaluated the prevalence of COPD among the adult residents of five Colombian cities. The study included 5,539 subjects, 8.9 percent of whom were diagnosed with COPD. The study participants were divided into four groups: those who were exposed to wood smoke and who had never smoked tobacco (30.9 percent); those who were exposed to tobacco smoke but had no exposure to wood smoke (18.7 percent); those who had been exposed to both types of smoke (29.8 percent); and those who had exposure to neither type of smoke (20.6 percent).

Patients' lung function was measured using spirometry, a technique used to measure the amount of air a person is able to inhale and exhale, and all patients completed a standardized respiratory questionnaire to identify exposure to smoke.

In their initial review of data, the researchers learned that 53 percent of those diagnosed with COPD had both wood and tobacco smoke exposure; moreover, the prevalence of COPD increased as exposure to wood smoke increased.

After adjusting for specific factors including age, active and passive tobacco smoking, education level, history of TB and altitude, the researchers found that wood smoke exposure of 10 or more years posed a significant risk factor for developing COPD in both men and women and those with both wood and tobacco exposure had poorer lung function scores and more phlegm and coughed more frequently than those who had exposure to only one type of smoke.Among the COPD population, those who were exposed only to wood smoke tended to be women, to have higher BMIs and to be shorter than those exposed to tobacco smoke or to a combination of wood and tobacco smoke.

"In the population we studied, exposure to wood smoke was identified as an independent risk factor for developing COPD, both in women and men," Dr. Torres-Duque said. "In addition, the prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in those who were exposed to both wood and tobacco smoke and those with both "Combined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD." PHYSorg.com. 20 May 2013. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combined-wood-tobacco-exposure-symptoms.html Page 1/2 exposures had more symptoms and more severe disease than those who were exposed to only one type of smoke."

This result suggests that the combination of wood and tobacco smoke produces an additive effect that causes an increase in COPD prevalence and in the frequency of COPD symptoms, he added. "It is also possible that the responses of the lungs and airways could vary, based on the pollutants to which they're exposed," Dr. Torres-Duque noted.

Future studies might provide additional data regarding varying responses and help clinicians determine specific treatments based on exposures, he said.

Provided by American Thoracic Society

Source..... http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combined-wood-tobacco-exposure-symptoms.html

Combined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD May 20, 2013 in Health People who are consistently exposed to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke are at a greater risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for experiencing more frequent and severe symptoms of the disease, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, than those who are exposed to only one type of smoke, according to the results of a new population-based study conducted by researchers in Colombia.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combined-wood-tobacco-exposure-symptoms.html#jCpPeople who are consistently exposed to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke are at a greater risk for
developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for experiencing more frequent and
severe symptoms of the disease, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, than those who are
exposed to only one type of smoke, according to the results of a new population-based study
conducted by researchers in Colombia.
The results of the study will be presented at the ATS 2013 International Conference.
"Although previous studies have shown a definite link between wood smoke exposure and the development
of COPD, those studies were case-controls and case series of patients with similar disease or health profiles
," said study lead author Carlos Torres-Duque, M.D., director of research at the Fundacion Neumologica
Colombiana in Bogota. "This new data derives from a population-based study that looked at wood smoke
exposure and the overall prevalence of COPD, as well as the characteristics of the disease and those who
suffer from it."
About 40 percent of the world's population uses solid fuels â€“ especially wood â€“ for cooking or heating,
he noted.
For this study, Dr. Torres-Duque and his colleagues used data from the PREPOCOL (Prevalencia de la
Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva CrÃ³nica en Colombia) study which evaluated the prevalence of COPD
among the adult residents of five Colombian cities. The study included 5,539 subjects, 8.9 percent of whom
were diagnosed with COPD. The study participants were divided into four groups: those who were exposed
to wood smoke and who had never smoked tobacco (30.9 percent); those who were exposed to tobacco
smoke but had no exposure to wood smoke (18.7 percent); those who had been exposed to both types of
smoke (29.8 percent); and those who had exposure to neither type of smoke (20.6 percent).
Patients' lung function was measured using spirometry, a technique used to measure the amount of air a
person is able to inhale and exhale, and all patients completed a standardized respiratory questionnaire to
identify exposure to smoke.
In their initial review of data, the researchers learned that 53 percent of those diagnosed with COPD had
both wood and tobacco smoke exposure; moreover, the prevalence of COPD increased as exposure to wood
smoke increased.
After adjusting for specific factors including age, active and passive tobacco smoking, education level,
history of TB and altitude, the researchers found that wood smoke exposure of 10 or more years posed a
significant risk factor for developing COPD in both men and women and those with both wood and tobacco
exposure had poorer lung function scores and more phlegm and coughed more frequently than those who
had exposure to only one type of smoke.Among the COPD population, those who were exposed only to
wood smoke tended to be women, to have higher BMIs and to be shorter than those exposed to tobacco
smoke or to a combination of wood and tobacco smoke.
"In the population we studied, exposure to wood smoke was identified as an independent risk factor for
developing COPD, both in women and men," Dr. Torres-Duque said. "In addition, the prevalence of COPD
was significantly higher in those who were exposed to both wood and tobacco smoke and those with both
"Combined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD." PHYSorg.com. 20 May 2013.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combined-wood-tobacco-exposure-symptoms.html
Page 1/2
exposures had more symptoms and more severe disease than those who were exposed to only one type of
smoke."
This result suggests that the combination of wood and tobacco smoke produces an additive effect that
causes an increase in COPD prevalence and in the frequency of COPD symptoms, he added.
"It is also possible that the responses of the lungs and airways could vary, based on the pollutants to which
they're exposed," Dr. Torres-Duque noted.
Future studies might provide additional data regarding varying responses and help clinicians determine
specific treatments based on exposures, he said.
Provided by American Thoracic SocietyPeople who are consistently exposed to both wood smoke and tobacco smoke are at a greater risk for
developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for experiencing more frequent and
severe symptoms of the disease, as well as more severe airflow obstruction, than those who are
exposed to only one type of smoke, according to the results of a new population-based study
conducted by researchers in Colombia.
The results of the study will be presented at the ATS 2013 International Conference.
"Although previous studies have shown a definite link between wood smoke exposure and the development
of COPD, those studies were case-controls and case series of patients with similar disease or health profiles
," said study lead author Carlos Torres-Duque, M.D., director of research at the Fundacion Neumologica
Colombiana in Bogota. "This new data derives from a population-based study that looked at wood smoke
exposure and the overall prevalence of COPD, as well as the characteristics of the disease and those who
suffer from it."
About 40 percent of the world's population uses solid fuels â€“ especially wood â€“ for cooking or heating,
he noted.
For this study, Dr. Torres-Duque and his colleagues used data from the PREPOCOL (Prevalencia de la
Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva CrÃ³nica en Colombia) study which evaluated the prevalence of COPD
among the adult residents of five Colombian cities. The study included 5,539 subjects, 8.9 percent of whom
were diagnosed with COPD. The study participants were divided into four groups: those who were exposed
to wood smoke and who had never smoked tobacco (30.9 percent); those who were exposed to tobacco
smoke but had no exposure to wood smoke (18.7 percent); those who had been exposed to both types of
smoke (29.8 percent); and those who had exposure to neither type of smoke (20.6 percent).
Patients' lung function was measured using spirometry, a technique used to measure the amount of air a
person is able to inhale and exhale, and all patients completed a standardized respiratory questionnaire to
identify exposure to smoke.
In their initial review of data, the researchers learned that 53 percent of those diagnosed with COPD had
both wood and tobacco smoke exposure; moreover, the prevalence of COPD increased as exposure to wood
smoke increased.
After adjusting for specific factors including age, active and passive tobacco smoking, education level,
history of TB and altitude, the researchers found that wood smoke exposure of 10 or more years posed a
significant risk factor for developing COPD in both men and women and those with both wood and tobacco
exposure had poorer lung function scores and more phlegm and coughed more frequently than those who
had exposure to only one type of smoke.Among the COPD population, those who were exposed only to
wood smoke tended to be women, to have higher BMIs and to be shorter than those exposed to tobacco
smoke or to a combination of wood and tobacco smoke.
"In the population we studied, exposure to wood smoke was identified as an independent risk factor for
developing COPD, both in women and men," Dr. Torres-Duque said. "In addition, the prevalence of COPD
was significantly higher in those who were exposed to both wood and tobacco smoke and those with both
"Combined wood and tobacco smoke exposure increases risk and symptoms of COPD." PHYSorg.com. 20 May 2013.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-combined-wood-tobacco-exposure-symptoms.html
Page 1/2
exposures had more symptoms and more severe disease than those who were exposed to only one type of
smoke."
This result suggests that the combination of wood and tobacco smoke produces an additive effect that
causes an increase in COPD prevalence and in the frequency of COPD symptoms, he added.
"It is also possible that the responses of the lungs and airways could vary, based on the pollutants to which
they're exposed," Dr. Torres-Duque noted.
Future studies might provide additional data regarding varying responses and help clinicians determine
specific treatments based on exposures, he said.
Provided by American Thoracic Society

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Air pollution may have a link to brain damage

By Delthia Ricks

Newsday

Scientists in 2004 studied the brain tissue of children and young adults in Mexico who had died of accidents and were stunned by what they found — a discovery that rocked the world of neuroscience and has gone largely untested until now.

Almost all the young people had evidence of Alzheimer's protein plaques scattered throughout their brain tissue. The only factor linking one case to another was air pollution in Mexico City, which led scientists at the time to hypothesize that smog might be a trigger of Alzheimer's disease and that the mind-robbing damage might start early in life.

Now a new group of scientists has picked up where the first team left off. So far, it appears a link may exist between inhaling pollutants and developing damage in the brain.

A nationwide study last year followed the fate of nearly 20,000 women over a 10-year period and found that inhaling pollutants, such as those found in any metropolitan area, exacerbated problems with attention span and escalated memory loss.

Another investigation reported last year, which focused on Boston, revealed that on days when concentrations of traffic-related pollutants were up, the number of strokes increased.
Dr. Heather Volk of the University of Southern California reported last fall that exposure to traffic-related pollution during pregnancy and a child's first year of life appear to be associated with an elevated risk of autism.

The key pollutants, she found, were vehicle-related particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, a leading precursor of ozone, also known as smog.

In Manhattan, Dr. Sam Gandy, director of the Center for Cognitive Health at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City has begun a series of studies testing whether air pollution can trigger the pathological changes linked to Alzheimer's.

His research, which was inspired by the findings in Mexico, focuses on laboratory animals.
Gandy said few studies have examined air pollutants as a possible cause. And while the epidemiologic study of Mexican children and young adults suggested the possibility, that evidence was circumstantial. "You rarely see this kind of pathology before the age of 40 and never, ever in children," Gandy said.

The 2004 autopsy research raised key questions for Gandy, primarily when and how Alzheimer's begins in the brain and which pollutants in contaminated air are so capable of unraveling the mind.
In the original study in Mexico, Dr. Lilian Calderon-Garciduenas of the University of Montana examined 43 brains from children and young adults, the oldest of whom was 40. Half of the specimens were from children younger than 17. Of those studied, 35 were lifelong residents of Mexico City while the eight control subjects, people who lived outside the air pollution of Mexico City, were from the rural areas of Tlaxcala and Veracruz.

Calderon-Garciduenas and her team looked for changes in genes and immune-system markers. They also searched for physical evidence indicative of Alzheimer's disease and found it in residents of Mexico City — but not in the tissue of people of the same age from unpolluted rural areas.

In the lab, Gandy and colleagues exposed mice to the common gases and nanoparticles of air pollution for three hours. When the mice were autopsied, they showed a 72 percent to 129 percent increase in the levels of beta amyloid, a key protein associated with Alzheimer's. "We were startled when three hours of air pollution exposure for the mice showed such a rapid and dramatic elevation," Gandy said.

Dr. Jeremy Koppel, a research scientist at the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study Alzheimer's disease and Memory Disorders in Manhasset, N.Y., called the findings exciting. "What is interesting about this study is that it followed the epidemiological research," said Koppel, referring to the order of studies. Koppel was not involved in either investigation.

What's still missing, added Koppel, is whether pollution somehow influences "tau," another aberrant protein linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Gandy said he hopes to further test his hypothesis. "The air we breathe affects our entire bodies," said Gandy, so it is not far-fetched to explore an effect on the brain.

Webmaster....Woodsmoke severely harms our body and causes premature death to millions worldwide. We must end all wood burring in our local towns and communities. The diseases that woodsmoke emissions (PM2.5) create can be prevented by prohibiting/banning/ending all wood burning. Some have called wood burners "Environmental Terrorists". Woodsmoke does harm and destroy our air, our planet, our health, our children, the elderly, and our lives. Hmmmm....sounds like terrorism!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Woodsmoke---It's a Killer!

Introduction: Wood Smoke Particles in the 21st Century

One Day of Particulate Measurement By Mary Rozenberg, December, 2001

Wood smoke is a very expensive and growing plague in America and around the world. Tens of thousands of Americans will die suddenly this winter from wood smoke emissions. Due to the pervasive haze of thousands of tons of smoke emitted daily in America, millions of people will suffer major debilitating illness, immune system, heart and lung damage that will undermine their long-term health and finances. Smoke pollution micro-particulate plays a large role in spreading infectious disease by both transporting the bacteria deep into the lung, and by paralyzing the immune system so that it can not defend the body. Winter months of November to February are the times of highest emissions and illness.

Our world view was changed forever by the tragedy of the September 11, 2001 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City with the resulting loss of life. The fire, dust and smoke particles have affected the survivors. Forty percent of the surviving firefighters exposed at the WTC are now suffering from lung system damage from this exposure. In addition the spread of Anthrax spore bacteria particles, as a weapon, has struck dread in our hearts. We have all felt helpless at this time in the face of the fury of smoke and bacteria but we have seen the hard lessons about science, physics, how weapon-sized particles act and how deadly they are. How does this relate to wood smoke? Ninety percent of wood smoke is in the weapon-sized range of particles. "A particle is a particle," says Dr. Joe Mauderly, a toxicologist at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque.

There is a devastating lack of awareness that wood smoke is a killer and that urban and rural wood smoke exposure is growing every year as population increases. There is deep denial about wood burning and what it actually costs us in loss of life, loss of quality of life and permanent loss of health. The United States has a population of almost 285 million people. Research indicates that again this year 30,000 Americans will die suddenly from wood smoke exposure alone. Since Burning Issues was founded in 1987, 420,000 premature deaths have occurred and yet the problem of particulate pollution from wood burning has continued to be ignored. We are segregated on the basis of health, education, and habits. Concerned citizens and victims are treated with contempt and condescension by all levels of government, special interest health charities, lobby groups and their neighbors who are filling their houses and neighborhoods with smoke.

The scope of this web site is to provide research on many different aspects of the growing wood smoke problem and is written to educate the general population. The spheres of separate knowledge have allowed unempirically founded knowledge to be disseminated by government and special interest groups. Our good minds need to come together to fight the wood smoke plague. Information includes technical and exposure information, including a defense of the above numbers. It explores the systems of the human body and shows how wood smoke upsets these functions. We will look at economics and the current state of legal protection from smoke. We must look at denial as well as precautions. An extensive list of references will show that this web site is in no way complete.

To present the science of smoke concisely we will concentrate on The San Francisco Bay Area in California as a sample air shed, since we have a great deal of scientific information on this area. We will include other communities for which we have data. Please keep in mind that smoke is smoke and its behavior is governed by its physical properties whether in San Francisco or Mozambique. Our research shows that there is a remarkable similarity in pollution patterns wherever solid fuel is burned. By covering this one area well, we learn those patterns. Wood smoke is sneaky. It is a trickster that creeps and seeps around in the night, into the air around and inside your home. We are attempting here to expose its 'modus operandi'. We never voted for a smoke filled 21st Century, but that is what we have. If we don't act now smoke is what we have to look forward to.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
Schopenhauer

Source: Burningissues.org

Webmaster---Though written over one decade ago, this article tells it like it was...and still is! Many of us are dying from breathing woodsmoke emissions (PM2.5) not only in the winter, but all year round. Environmental terrorism---A.K.A.---wood burning.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Mother's Day Hope

Every Mother's Hope..........................

Pinned Image

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From the first moment of life, from the first glimpse of the little toes, sweet nose, and perfect life before us, every Mother’s hope is to love, cherish and protect the precious gift of life, her child. There is no moment in our life that unfolds with such drama as the birth of our baby.

A life vow is made in our heart to watch over, protect in every way possible this tiny bundle we now call our daughter or son. No moment in life is quite the same as watching those first little breaths escape the tiny lungs of our child. No moment is quite the same after we hear those first cries or see that first glimpse of a smile. No moment in life is the same, once we become a Mother.

In a caring, lifelong passion for our child, we provide the best possible necessities of life.

We take precaution regarding the quality of food they eat, the water they drink, and even the air they inhale. Tiny lungs inhale more rapidly and thus are exposed to a greater amount of toxins in the air they breathe. We read, become informed and make the wisest of choices, all to protect this new life, our precious child.

The little lungs we should be protecting from before birth are unfortunately being exposed to a multitude of toxic chemical compounds worse for their health than even that of Tobacco smoke. These toxins are found in Woodsmoke that our children breathe each and every day. They come from all forms of biomass burning and the emissions that permeate our community air.

Little lungs are most vulnerable to these toxic chemicals.

Our municipalities and governments have taken great strides to protect children and adults from the negative impact of Tobacco smoke. Thankfully our children will lead a healthier life style than previous generations due to this protection from Tobacco.

This protection from Tobacco has been achieved through adoption and implementation of by laws, education and awareness, available to all from most organizations and health boards/units. That same recognition must be adopted and implemented, via by-laws and regulations to end/ban/prohibit all urban community biomass burning. Woodsmoke pollution in our cities is no longer wanted or necessary. Cleaner, healthier methods of heating are available in almost every community. There should be no recreational wood burning in any urban community!

Yet an ongoing and continually unfolding, many times life threatening situation that involves the tiny lungs of our children and family is visible every day in our urban communities. Woodsmoke increases the likelihood of our children developing Asthma, respiratory and other serious Woodsmoke-related illnesses which are associated with all forms of biomass burning.

The drama that unfolds in hospital cancer centers, the real life events of children suffering Asthma attacks, of children and families struggling with other respiratory illness and the many other negative impacts that woodsmoke has on young life, is not the life of fairy tales or story books, but comprised of the real life of real people who have been forever impacted by the toxic woodsmoke pollution that has left its mark on their children’s lungs and their future. These are the words, feelings and scenes from real life, not stories of fantasy or fiction.

Residential and Recreational Woodsmoke pollution is real and has a negative impact on our health, quality of life and environment. The time is now for each Mother and parent to renew those early vows to their child and honour that commitment by taking action within their community to end/ban/prohibit all forms of biomass burning.

It is time to actually meet in person with the local elected leaders in your area to discuss the many complex issues of air pollution and the harm being done not only to your child, but to every child.

Make this Mother’s Day that day to review the issues in your own community that harm the lungs and future health of young children. Those little toes may have grown and the giggles and smiles have become louder, but the heart, souls and pure essence of your child remains the same as the first day you held them and promised to care for them.

Commit to ending Residential and Recreational Woodsmoke pollution. Commit to ensuring that the drama experienced in our daily lives are not the moments of sick, suffering children with Asthma and Cancer.

Every Mother’s hope can be realized if we take action and act, not just talk about air pollution. Knock on doors, make those calls, lobby at every opportunity, attend those office meetings, get those flyers out, encourage education and awareness from your Health Units and other organizations. Don’t delay. Act today by taking action!

Linda Baker Beaudin
Air is Precious

Webmaster----Every Mother (and Father) needs to end the horror, devastation, and harm that woodmsoke does to Mother Earth, our children, and our families. How? Tell your elected officials to end all wood burning-indoor and outdoor-in your community, and end it now. Let's not let the wood burners harm our children. Protect the children by demanding that wood burning be prohibited in your town. A Mother (and Father) should do no less. Every Mother's hope should be that our children live in a world without the fear and terror that woodsmoke presently spreads throughout our communities, and into our home. Take action to end woodsmoke...now!

Monday, April 29, 2013

BOZO of the Month--Barrie, Ontario, Canada

BOZO of the Month
(In my opinion)

BARRIE, ONTARIO, CANADA

Given the opportunity to end smoke from chimineas the council members decide to side with property rights’ even though the Fire Chief argued that these chimineas create a lot of complaints due to the smoke that pours out of them.

One councilor even said that people should deal with their neighbors and not expect the city to solve their issues! Can you believe that a remark like that came from a person elected to protect the residents? Incredible!

Let’s hope when this comes up again for ratification that some common sense prevails. There is no reason for people to sit around a smoking chiminea in the first place. What crazy kind of backwoods entertainment is this? Why is it allowed to continue?

Residents should now have to worry about breathing wood smoke put forth by those that have no consideration for their neighbors. Many places in Ontario have already banned these chimineas and for good reason.

All wood smoke contains dangerous particles. Some being carcinogenic and all being dangerous to health. Let’s hope that the next newsletter finds Barrie going from a Bozo to a Hero

Shirley

Source: The Wood Smoke Activist Network
May 2013 Newsletter
Educating the world about the health and climate impacts of wood smoke.
Editor: Shirley Brandie
Web site: http://WoodBurnerSmoke.net

Breathe Healthy Air