Poor air quality negatively impacts our health

Air pollution can be a serious risk to health.  The impact of poor air quality on a person’s health depends on the length of exposure, pollution level, and their overall health. Exposure to air pollution can worsen existing health problems like heart and lung diseases. It can also increase the risk of developing chronic illness and cancer.

Symptoms of exposure: Outdoor air pollution can affect the lungs, heart, throat and eyes. Symptoms can include chest pain, coughing, digestive issues, fever, fatigue, sneezing, shortness of breath, throat irritation and watery eyes.

Cardiovascular health impacts: Poor air quality can exacerbate and lead to serious heart problems such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure (hypertension) and coronary artery disease

Respiratory health impacts: Breathing in polluted air can cause or worsen lung issues including asthma, including more frequent or severe attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and respiratory allergies.

Long-term health risks

Long-term exposure to polluted air can increase the risk of cancers, chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity, Reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders,  and can hurt fetal development and limit lung function in childhood.

Learn more :

• https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/about/index.html

Vulnerable Populations

• Children: Exposure can lead to pneumonia, asthma, and cognitive issues
• Elderly: Increased risk of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementias.
• Pregnant People: Exposure can lead to low birth weight, stillbirth, and miscarriage
• Individuals with Pre-existing Conditions: Those with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, or children with asthma are more susceptible.
• People on Certain Medications: Some medications can make people more vulnerable to respiratory distress.
• People who work outdoors face risk from exposure to air pollution, particularly if their work is strenuous.
• People who have lower incomes or live in neighborhoods near other sources of pollution
  • Link to Environmental Justice info:

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk

Precautions for Poor Air Quality

• Check the air quality and the air quality index. Link
  • If wildfire smoke is forecast, the Air Now fire and smoke map can predict where smoke is headed https://fire.airnow.gov/
• Based on your risk factors, limit time outdoors if possible.  Other ways to reduce exposure If you can:
  • Plan outdoor activities when the particle or ozone levels are lower.
  • Choose locations to exercise that are not near busy roads if possible.
  • Choose less strenuous activities such as a walk instead of a run
• Check with your health care provider to make sure you have your correct medication and any guidance they have for you.
  • If you have asthma, follow your asthma management plan.  Check with your health care provider to develop a plan if you don’t have one.
  • Get medical help if your symptoms don’t improve.
• Wear a mask
• Run an air cleaner – check out our guidance to make a DIY air cleaner

More details:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-06/documents/ozone_and_your_health.pdf

https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi?Dockey=P1001EX6.txt

https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/about/index.html

https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/10-tips-to-protect-yourself

Guidance for Schools:

• Check the AQI daily [link to home page map]
  • Follow CDC and AQI guidance on limiting activities.
  • Air pollution can make asthma symptoms worse and trigger attacks. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Even students who do not have asthma could experience these symptoms.
  • If symptoms occur: The student might need to take a break, do a less intense activity, stop all activity, go indoors, or use quick-relief medicine as prescribed. If symptoms don’t improve, get medical help.

https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/media/Air_Quality_and_Outdoor_Activity_Guidance.pdf

Other links:

Fire and Smoke

Weather forecast

Climate change and air quality:   how does climate change impact air quality?

Climate change is impacting our communities.  We now experience hotter weather, storms with more intensity and less predictability, floods, and longer pollen seasons. Individual impacts add up and lower air quality over time.

• Increased ground level ozone /smog
• Increased exposure to allergens (like pollen)
• Increased impacts from wildfire smoke, even far away from the actual fires

https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-air-quality

https://health2016.globalchange.gov/air-quality-impacts

Extreme heat and air quality