Clean air is hard to come by, especially in overcrowded cities around the world. As the world shifts into renewable energy, we must look into changing the way our cities are. Instead of having concrete jungles, we need to incorporate forestry into our cities. Our health will benefit from it, and our air will be much cleaner!
Asthma in Cities
Asthma attacks affect millions of people each year, and elevated pollution levels in cities can make things even worse. Pollution is a contributing factor in many asthma attacks, particularly in densely-populated urban areas. The good news is, planting more trees could make a big difference for city-dwellers who suffer from asthma.
Researchers at the University of Exeter’s medical school published a study which found that lining urban streets with trees can effectively reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks in surrounding areas. This is because trees absorb toxic airborne pollutants, thereby preventing them from having an effect on people with asthma.
Planting Trees in Cities
According to the study’s findings, planting 300 trees per square kilometer could result in about 50 fewer asthma attacks for every 100,000 people over the course of about 15 years. The study suggests that planting trees is one way cities can help people with asthma live healthier, more productive lives.
The study also notes that planting too many trees can be problematic for people with asthma as well. That’s because the pollen from those trees can mix with pollutants and cause a condition called gray fever. But as long as cities are careful to plant an appropriate number of trees in the right areas, they can have a measurably positive effect on the local air quality.
At Cold Stream Farm, our wholesale trees and shrubs are provided around the country. If you’re looking to incorporate trees on your property or plant commercially in the city, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact Cold Stream Farm at (231) 464-5809 today or visit us online for more information!
