What are the health effects from biological pollutants?
Allergic reactions are the most common health problem associated with biological pollutants. People differ in their sensitivity to biological allergens — some may have no symptoms, while sensitive persons may have severe health problems. Common symptoms include watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness and fatigue. The most severe reaction to allergens is an asthma attack, which can be life-threatening. The American Lung Association reports there are nearly 10 million people in the U.S. with asthma. Of these, over 2.5 million are children. There are over 4,000 deaths each year from asthma. The number of persons with asthma has been consistently increasing over the last 15 years. Airborne biological pollutants present a special risk to people with allergies and asthma. Note: these pollutants do not cause asthma. Rather, certain pollutants can trigger an attack in people who have asthma. Infectious d
