Health Risks on Elderly Well Being​

How is Elderly Well Being Affected

On average older people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, at home.  This means it is important to create an environment where it is safe for those older individuals to be spending extended periods of time indoors. If the air quality is not properly monitored in these spaces this could lead to very unfortunate events and health risks for the elderly.

What Leads to Poor Elderly Well Being

As we get older, our bodies become more susceptible to the effects of environmental hazards. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) “refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and one half microns or less in width”(2), PM2.5 can have grave effects on the health of elderly. Exposure to PM2.5 has been connected to cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and the development of chronic bronchitis, all of which can lead to complications (3).  A Canadian study conducted in 2016 analyzed 6.6 million people and found that those who live near busy roads are exposed to 10 times greater PM2.5 levels causing them to be 7% more likely to develop dementia than people living more than 300 meters away from the roads (4).

Inadequate air quality (IAQ), fumes and dust also can also negatively affect the health of the elderly. According to the EPA, air pollutants are often 2-5 times worse inside than outside (5).  It is very important to try to lower these levels to make it a safe space for elderly people inside.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has been linked as an illness due to IAQ.  COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema – lung diseases that make breathing difficult due to blocked airways.

Resources

1 https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/ahbe-english-100-f-09-045.pdf
2 https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm
3 https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-04/awfp-older-adults-march-2017.pdf
4 https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/air-pollution-and-dementia
5 https://www.mana.md/indoor-air-vs-outdoor-air/
6 https://www.alamy.com/stop-dust-smog-air-pollution-protect-nature-vector-illustration-cartoon-elderly-woman-character-focuses-on-problem-of-environmental-pollution-standing-next-to-smoking-factory-chimneys-background-image433164501.html