The LuLac Edition #2376, March 13th, 2013
WRITE ON WEDNESDAY
TAKING AIR FOR GRANTED
We rarely think about air quality as an issue until we either have a health challenge or when an event occurs that threatens the quality of the air we use to survive. Last week the Citizen's Voice ran a thoughtful and cogent letter that we think bears repeating.
Respiratory therapist says 'Fight for clean air
Editor:
As a respiratory therapist for 28 years, I have seen the disastrous impact of poor air quality. Patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis come in daily, fighting for air, suffering from what we call "air hunger." They become frightened as they gasp for air, becoming more anxious as they struggle. The anxiety and the shortness of breath build on each other. It's challenging for even the most experienced caregiver to see these patients suffer. I've seen first-hand the impact of air quality on those patients who live in cities with a large amount of smog or air pollution.
Unfortunately, those patients were unaware that they had a higher chance of being diagnosed with bronchitis and asthma.
Air quality can make a huge difference to those suffering from lung disease. We monitor the air quality every day because we know of the drastic impact it has on our patients.
Air quality determines whether our patients will have a good day or a bad day.
As more people are being diagnosed with asthma, more people need to be aware of the impact of air pollution on their disease. I'm proud to support the American Lung Association and its efforts to fight lung disease and to ensure clean, healthy air for all Pennsylvanians.
Contact your elected officials and let them know that you expect them to fight for clean air and stand up to the companies that want to put profits before people.
Debbie Gurnari
Forty Fort
posted by David Yonki @ 7:47 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
If you have ever had breathing problems you know how terrifying it can be to gasp for air and not know if that next breath will come.
Fortunately my problems were resolved medically, but I certainly appreciate the importance of this issue and in turn this article. We take things like air and water for granted and continue to do our best as a society to pollute both! Its time to wake up.
Rebecca Long
Yo Dave,
here is an idea.
Maybe if a person goes into the hospital with a breathing problem and it is found to be from smoking their medical insurance should not have to pay.
Maybe this would lower our rates that we pay.
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