Asthma
What is going on?
Funding Deals?
Why won't the Asthma Foundation Tasmania stand up for asthmatics and lobby to
bring about an immediate end to forestry smoke that has been affecting the health of so
many Tasmanians for so long now?
Tasmania
has the highest incidence of asthma in Australia (Asthma Foundation), and 3 out of 4
people have a chronic health condition like cancer, cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary
disease, asthma and diabetes, that prevents them form working. (Damien Brown-Mercury
2/12/2009).
All these diseases have been linked in world wide studies to particulate matter (PM).
Children
are particularly vulnerable to wood smoke, because their respiratory systems are still
developing,
and because they have higher rates of activity and inhale more air - Health Canada.
In children, asthma is the most common reason for trips to
the emergency department and unplanned hospital stays. It is almost one of the most common
reasons for taking a child to the local doctor.
Asthma is a long term inflammatory condition of the airways.- National Asthma Council -
Asthma
Foundation Tasmania acknowledge this state has the highest rate of Asthma in Australia and
that now 1 in 7 children are diagnosed with the disease.
If you notice you or your child suffers any of the symptoms below during the forestry burn season seek medical attention promptly and make sure it is entered in your history that you believe the symptoms are caused by forestry smoke:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness, pain or pressure
Chest infections, ear infections. - Runny nose
- Blocked, stuffy nose
- Eye irritation
- Unable to do tasks that you would normally be able to do.
- Feeling unwell
- Raspy voice.
Environmental smoke can set off an allergic reaction (response) - continued exposure to a substance can lead to an allergy to it. The body itself sees that substance as a threat, the immune system reacts and attacks it because it carries toxins. When somebody eventually becomes allergic to smoke after continuous exposure to it, it is known as sensitization. Symptoms will appear when the individual's immune system starts producing antibodies to attack the substance - histamine is also produced, which causes inflammation.
Irritant-induced asthma - environmental smoke may cause a direct irritation in the lungs after exposure. This is not an allergic reaction - the condition is called reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). The bronchial tubes are sensitive to the irritants. Environmental smoke is known to cause RADS.
I previously supported Asthma Foundation Tasmania but have withdrawn my support until they come out and lobby to bring about an immediate end to needless forestry smoke. You can do the same by redirecting your support to keep this website running.
HEALTH ALERT - Deliberate forestry smoke and
asthma/COPD drugs do not mix.
Monitoring the Impact of Air Pollution on
Asthma in Australia - 2010 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
Read below what AFT said.
27.4.2008 - Mercury Asthma Group bites tongue
Balance Sheet ending 2007 Asthma Foundation Tasmania
The Asthma Foundation Tasmania uses public relations consultants Beyond PR, Davey Street,
Hobart.
http://www.davidbartlett.com.au/diary/event.2005-11-18.0888792591
28.4.2008 - Letter to Asthma Foundation Tasmania
Tasmanian Times Asthma Foundation and Premier
6.5.2008 - Reply from Asthma Foundation Tasmania
6.5.2008 - Letter to Asthma Foundation Tasmania
18.5.2008 - e-mail from Asthma Foundation CEO No deal
25.5.2008 - Sunday Tasmanian AFT still won't support a ban on forestry smoke for asthmatics. Why not??
26.5,2008 & 2.6.2008 e-mail to President of Asthma Foundation
5.6.2008 - email from President Asthma Foundation. Note:
People with asthma are not party to these 'secret' discussions.
Just Government bodies, or Government funded bodies. Hmmmm...
12.6.2008 - Forestry smoke feeds Asthma Foundation Children suffer.
26.11.2008 - Forestry Tasmania suggests I invest in an
air purifier device (so they can keep making smoke).
This is what the American Lung Association has to say...
OZONE PRODUCTION: Some air
cleaners (called ozone generators) use an electrical charge to generate ozone. Although
ozone (also referred to as trivalent oxygen or saturated oxygen) is a necessary part of
the upper atmosphere (10-30 miles above us), in the part of the atmosphere we breathe,
ozone is a potent lung irritant. It can have damaging health effects, especially for
persons with asthma and other lung diseases, children and the elderly. It is produced
directly by ozone generators and indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic
air cleaners. The FDA has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone in indoor air.
Ask whether any electronic air cleaner you are considering buying has been tested for
ozone production. The American Lung Association suggests
that ozone generators not be used.
27.11.2008 - Emails to, and replies from, Asthma Foundation Tasmania Still not standing up for asthmatics in Tasmania.
20.1.2008 - Media release from Asthma Foundation of Tasmania
29.1.2008 - E-mail to Asthma Foundation - seeking clarification.
13.2.2009 - Response from AFT
It can be seen the Asthma Foundation Tasmania is at odds with
the World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHO claims, “there is no safe level of fine particle pollution.”
Sadly, it seems our Asthma Foundation has a different agenda for asthmatics in
Tasmania.
Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the
well-being of a
person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to
the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. [Martin Luther
King Jr., civil-rights leader, 1929-1968]