Fact Sheet

August 2009
 

Age Healthier


Breathe Easier
 

Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers 

Chronic Obstructive 

Pulmonary Disease 

(COPD) is the fourth 

leading cause of 

death in the United 

States. 

More than two 

million adults age 

65 and older have 

asthma, and in 

2004 more than one 

million older adults 

suffered an asthma 

episode.4 

Did you know that 

Chronic Obstructive 

Pulmonary Disease 

(COPD) is the fourth 

leading cause of death in the 

United States, claiming more 

than 125,000 lives in 2005?

1 In 

2006, COPD caused 672,000 

hospitalizations and 1.4 million 

hospital emergency room 

visits.

2 COPD includes chronic 

bronchitis and emphysema -

lung diseases which frequently 

coexist and are characterized 

by obstruction to air flow, 

making it difficult to breathe. 

Smokers are particularly at risk 

of developing COPD, however, 

it also has been linked to 

workplace exposure to dust 

and fumes. Symptoms include 

chronic cough, increased 

mucus production, chest 

tightness, shortness of breath 

and difficulty breathing. 

Economic Impact of 

COPD and Asthma 

In 2007, the annual treatment 

cost for all age groups was 

approximately $43 billion for 

COPD.

3 COPD is particularly 

common among older adults 

and significantly compromises 

their quality of life. As baby 

boomers age, the number of 

older adults affected by COPD 

and asthma is expected to 

grow significantly. 

Environmental Hazards, 

Triggers for COPD and 

Asthma 

Outdoor Air 

Exposure to air pollution can 

pose a significant risk to older 

adults, especially those with lung 

disease. Particle pollution may 

aggravate lung diseases, including 

COPD and asthma, and may be 

responsible for serious health 

effects, including hospitalization 

or premature death. Ozone also 

may aggravate lung diseases and 

may result in emergency room 

and hospital admissions. 

Indoor Air 

Pollutants that exist within 

homes and buildings also 

may be harmful to persons 

with COPD or asthma. Many 

older persons spend up to 90 

percent of their time indoors, 

often at home. Common indoor 

environmental hazards that 

may trigger COPD and asthma 

attacks include tobacco smoke 

(direct and second-hand smoke), 

animal dander, dust mites and 

cockroaches, mold, dust and 

pollen. Other sources of indoor 

air pollution that may trigger a 

COPD or asthma attack include 

combustion products of oil, gas, 

kerosene and coal, and building 

materials and furnishings made 

of pressed wood products. 

Pesticides, household cleaning 
 

 

 

 

products and substances with irritating 

odors also may exacerbate these 

diseases. 

Learn More About EPA’s 

Aging Initiative 

The Aging Initiative is working to protect 

the environmental health of older adults 

through the coordination of research, 

prevention strategies and public 

education. For more information about 

the Aging Initiative, visit www.epa. 

gov/aging. 

A poster entitled “Age Healthier Breathe 

Easier” on COPD, asthma and older 

adults is also available on the website to 

download. 

Pollutants that exist within homes and buildings also may be 

harmful to persons with COPD or asthma. 

What you can do to 

control and reduce 

exposure to 

environmental hazards 

If you or your loved one experience symptoms 

of COPD or asthma, consult a doctor and follow 

a management plan outlined by your health 

care provider. The key to management of these 

diseases is through preventive measures and 

reduced exposure to environmental hazards. 

Take steps to prevent, control and reduce the 

frequency of symptoms to allow you or your 

loved one to breathe easier. 

n Avoid tobacco smoke 

n Avoid smoke from wood-burning stoves 

n Reduce mold, dust mites and 


cockroaches in your home 


n Keep pets out of sleeping areas 

n Check furnace and heating units 


annually
 

n Fix water leaks promptly 

n Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) 

Reduce outdoor activity as much as possible on 

poor air quality days. The AQI reports how clean 

the air is and whether it will affect your health. 

If you have access to the Internet, you can learn 

more about the AQI by visiting www.epa.gov/ 

airnow. If you do not have access to a computer 

or the internet, you can learn more about the 

daily AQI through newspaper, television and 

radio weather reports. 

Endnotes 

1. Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, National Center for Health 

Statistics. Final Vital Statistics Report. 

Deaths: Final Data for 2005, Vol. 56, 

No.10, April 24, 2008. 

2. Ibid. 

3. U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, National Institutes of Health. 

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 

Morbidity and Mortality: 2007 Chartbook on 

Cardiovascular, Lung and Blood Diseases. 

4. National Center for Health Statistics. 

Raw Data from the National Health 

Interview Survey, U.S., 1982-1996, 

2001-2004. 

Publication Number EPA 100-F-09-045