2008). Studies have also shown that racial, ethnic and socioeconomic differences in asthma are high prevalence in poor urban communities. For example, early childhood prevalence of asthma is much higher in East Harlem area of New York City than the bordering, but more wealthy Upper East Side area. The trees may help prevent asthma by encouraging children to play outdoors. Children living in poor urban communities are less likely to be encouraged to play outside in a dangerous neighborhood they may live in. Asthma affects non-white populations at higher rates than white populations and mostly predominates in urban populations (Eschenbacher et. al.). Ultimately, the increase of air pollution has affected the human respiratory system without regards to your socio-economic living.
Along with asthma, Bronchitis is one of the other human respiratory health conditions that are being affected by air pollution. Bronchitis is known to be a respiratory disease where the human bronchial passages become inflamed because of mucus membrane in the lungs (http://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-bronchitis-basics 2013). This inflammation results in the narrowing of small airways in the lungs, thus resulting in coughing along with senses of breathlessness. Factors like car emissions and factories burning fossil fuels into the air have been a major cause of bronchitis in human respiratory health. Although cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of bronchitis, exposure to industrial dust and fumes can worsen bronchitis symptoms.
After World War II, development of the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) was created to regulate the high levels of pollution in the U.S. particularly in Los Angeles. California in particular began the crack down on motor vehicle emissions (Boffey 1969). These air pollution authorities created in the U.S. cracked down on numerous factories, refineries, power plants and motor vehicles by setting emission standards.
