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Yonge
Nawe celebrates World Asthma Day
Mbabane
7 May 2002
Poor air quality exposes
astma and TB patients to higher risks |
Yonge Nawe celebrated World Asthma
Day with communities around Bhunya. A factsheet with information on the
relationship between poor air quality and asthma was distributed to the
community. A group of school children aged between 10 and 12 years demonstrated
the "bucket brigade" - a simple yet effective method of collecting air
samples.
Young children taking a
demo air sample |
These children are part of
the Yonge Nawe delegation going to attend the World Children’s Conference
in Canada from the 21st to the 25th of May 2002. They will be involved
in discussions on air pollution, climate change and global warming issues.
World Asthma Day is a global
day celebrated around the world. The theme for this year was "Working
together so that everybody can breathe better air."
|
This day was an opportunity to
draw attention to the global burden of asthma, as well as its impact right
here in Swaziland. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease
characterised by recurrent breathing problems. During normal breathing,
air flows freely in and out of the lungs. But, during an asthma attack,
the lining of the airways swells, muscles around the airways tighten and
mucus clogs the tiny airways in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
The airways become overly responsive to environmental changes, resulting
in wheezing and coughing.
People with asthma have airways
that narrow more easily than non-asthmatics and are usually allergic to
inhaled allergens. The causes of the airway abnormality and its relationship
to being allergic are not known. A variety of factors can set off
an asthma attack including viral infections; exposure to allergens (e.g.
dust mites, protein particles shed by cats and dogs and pollen); exercise;
tobacco smoke; air pollution, strong emotional expressions; chemical irritants;
and drugs (aspirin and beta blockers). Each person with asthma reacts
to a different set of factors. "The bad smoke that is emitted by polluting
industries is harmful to individuals as well as our environment," says
Nonjabulo Mlangeni a pupil at Enjabulweni Primary School. She added that
people who live near polluting industry are prone to respiratory diseases.
People with asthma are more vulnerable to air pollution.
Poor ventilation fuels
asthma & respiratory disorders |
Simphiwe Stewart, a pupil
from Usutu Forest Primary School said that although industry provides jobs
to many people, employers should ensure that workers have healthy environments
in which to work in. "We need to ensure that we place humans first and
profits later." Industrial expansion and polluting |
industries have been cited as
increasing asthma among children and the elderly in Swaziland. In door
air pollution from the burning of woodfuel, paraffin and "imbawula"
exposes asthma and tuberculosis patients to higher risks. "Poor living
conditions and lack of ventilation fuel Asthma and other respiratory disorders,"
she added.
The World Health Organization
estimates that between 100 and 150 million people around the globe suffer
from asthma and this number is rising. World wide, deaths from this
condition have reached over 180,000 annually. Asthma is a public
health problem for both developed and developing countries.
Yonge Nawe official distributing
fact sheet |
Asthma can be treated through
various types of medication i.e. long-term preventive medications (especially
anti-inflammatory agents such as inhaled glucocorticosteroids or leukotriene
receptor antagonists) that keep symptoms and attacks from starting, and
quick relief medications |
(short-acting bronchodilators)
that work fast to treat attacks or relieve symptoms. Air pollution monitoring
is part of our Environmental Justice Campaign Programme, said Mr. Joseph
Mutsigwa Yonge Nawe’s Communications and Research Coordinator. This programme
seeks to ensure that social justice is achieved and communities are not
victims of pollution and environmental injustices. We are planning to work
with communities around polluting industries, he added. We want to empower
these communities with information and knowledge on air quality monitoring.
We want to see communities challenging polluting industries to clean up
their act.
If you suspect incidences of
air pollution in your area you may contact Yonge Nawe.
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