Air pollution, asthma linked to suicide

[The Straight Story]

Air pollution, asthma linked to suicide

-- When most people think of suicide, they think of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. But new research suggests that lung trouble may also play a role.

Two new studies conducted in Asia and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry report that asthma -- and even days of unusually bad air pollution -- appear to increase the risk of suicide.

As improbable as the link may sound, researchers suggest that respiratory problems may worsen a person's mental state.

In the air pollution study -- the first to examine a possible connection with suicide -- researchers in South Korea tracked air quality and suicides in seven cities during 2004.

More than 4,300 suicides were reported that year. Just under half of those who committed suicide had at least one chronic health condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or mental illness.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/15/pollution.asthma.suicide/index.html?hpt=T2

Think about how much you are polluting when you drive your car to the bar - where you wish to sit smoke free so you don't have to breathe other peoples' pollution (here's a tip, stay home and drink) :evilgrin:

[Deep13]

1. Not being able to breathe right is no fun. nt

[NoNothing]

2. Actually modern cars emit hardly any particulate pollution

In fact if you drive a ULEV vehicle your car actually cleans the air.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited symptoms

Ironically (for you), it's the selfish-pig smokers who may have caused the asthma in the first place.

http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healtheffects.html

Serious Health Risks to Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke because they are still developing physically, have higher breathing rates than adults, and have little control over their indoor environments. Children exposed to high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those whose mothers smoke, run the greatest relative risk of experiencing damaging health effects.

Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited symptoms.
Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Infants and children younger than 6 who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of lower respiratory track infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Children who regularly breathe secondhand smoke are at increased risk for middle ear infections.