Air Pollution in Earthquake Zone Draws Attention

Air Pollution in Earthquake-Affected Areas Warrants Attention Following the major earthquake disaster affecting 11 provinces along the East Anatolian fault line, air pollution is increasing not only from debris removal operations but also from the burning of wood and coal due to lack of electricity and natural gas supply to the region, creating a gateway for numerous diseases. Prof. Dr. Özge Soyer, Board Member of the Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, warned particularly against dust dispersed into the environment during debris removal and the air pollution it creates: "Respiratory complaints may increase especially among asthma patients. Dry cough and shortness of breath should be detected early and treated appropriately. Debris removal operations should be conducted after wetting with water and dust levels in the air should be reduced. Temporary shelter areas should be established in regions unaffected by air pollution. In the earthquake zone, exposure to asbestos, which can be found particularly in buildings constructed before 2010 and is carcinogenic, carries long-term risks and precautions must be taken. Gloves, protective suits, full-face masks and eye protection should be used in debris areas." Following the earthquake disaster that claimed the lives of over 40,000 people in 11 provinces along the East Anatolian fault line, increasing air pollution in the region prompted experts to take action. The debris piles resulting from the collapse of tens of thousands of buildings and the heavy construction dust they generate pose a major threat due to triggering numerous diseases. Prof. Dr. Özge Soyer, Board Member of the Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association, issued warnings particularly against dust dispersed into the environment during debris removal and the air pollution it creates. Increases in respiratory complaints among asthma patients should be detected early and treated appropriately. Debris removal operations should be conducted after wetting with water and dust levels in the air should be reduced. Temporary shelter areas should be established in regions unaffected by air pollution. Soyer noted that in the earthquake zone, particularly in buildings constructed before 2010, exposure to asbestos, which is carcinogenic, carries long-term risks and precautions must absolutely be taken, stating: "In these areas, especially during debris removal, gloves, protective suits, full-face masks and eye protection should be used."

"Asthma crises increase during disasters"

Soyer, noting that construction dust, fungi and the air pollution they create from the devastation caused by the major earthquake disaster pose a serious threat particularly for asthma patients, stated that accessing asthma medications is difficult during the earthquake period and if patients cannot use their medications, breathing and cough problems will worsen further, saying: "After the 2011 major Japan earthquake, the risk of asthma crisis in asthmatic children increased 6-fold and approximately half of the patients could not access medications. As is known, asthma crises develop due to respiratory tract infections, exposure to allergens or air pollution, and failure to use medications regularly needed for treating the disease. For this reason, the number of asthma patients visiting emergency services increases during periods of increased air pollution. In 2001, following the World Trade Center attack, it was reported that asthma frequency increased significantly more in children exposed to the resulting dust clouds."

"Increased air pollution after the earthquake causes stubborn dry coughs"

Soyer emphasized that in the post-earthquake period, the crowding of temporary shelter areas and lack of adequate health conditions make viral respiratory tract infections more easily transmissible and increase risk significantly in asthma patients, noting that breathing cigarette smoke in confined spaces particularly causes cough, wheezing and shortness of breath complaints to increase in asthmatics, while not only asthma patients but also persons without previous respiratory problems are affected by the air pollution emerging after the earthquake and stubborn dry coughs develop. Stating that stoves with poor draft and prolonged exposure to open flames cause carbon monoxide poisoning, Soyer said: "Carbon monoxide gas is colorless and odorless, so poisoning goes unnoticed; initial symptoms are headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea-vomiting and abdominal pain, requiring emergency health services. Exposure to asbestos, which can be found particularly in buildings constructed before 2010 in the earthquake zone debris and is carcinogenic, carries long-term risks and precautions must be taken. Gloves, protective suits, full-face masks and eye protection should be used."  

"Debris should not be removed without wetting, dust generation must be prevented"

  Soyer emphasized the importance of asthma patients in the earthquake zone, particularly asthmatic children, regaining access to asthma medications as soon as possible, stating: "To reduce indoor air pollution, smoking should be avoided, frequent ventilation maintained, and heating needs in enclosed spaces should preferably be met with electric heaters. To reduce outdoor air pollution, debris removal operations should be conducted after wetting with water and dust levels in the air should be reduced. Temporary shelter areas should be established in regions unaffected by air pollution. Increases in respiratory complaints among asthma patients should be detected early and treated appropriately."