How Do I Help Stop the Ill-Effects of Air Pollution?

Smog in heavy traffic areas, like cities, irritates the lungs when inhaled.

Ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) -- from sources, such as dirty power plants, old diesel vehicles and heavy equipment -- can harm your body and shorten your life, according to the American Lung Association. The risks associated with breathing in air pollution include heart attacks, strokes and complications for people with asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Children, senior citizens, people who work or exercise outdoors, and people with the aforementioned medical conditions are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.

Instructions

1. Check daily air quality levels and air pollution forecasts for your area. Many newspapers, websites, television and radio stations give air quality reports using the Air Quality Index (AQI). Up-to-date air quality information can be also be obtained at AirNow.gov. An AQI score of more than 100 indicates unhealthy air conditions.

2. Stay indoors as much as possible on days when pollution levels are high. Since sunshine increases ozone levels, this is particularly important on high-ozone days in cities during the summer, according to Family Doctor.

3. Reduce your activity and avoid exercising outdoors if air conditions are poor. The faster you breathe, the more pollution you take into your lungs, according to Family Doctor. When the air is bad, walk indoors in a shopping mall or use an exercise machine at home or at a gym.

4. Limit outdoor activity, particularly aerobic exercise, to the early hours of the morning or after sunset when ozone levels are lower.

5. Avoid busy highways. Busy highways are high risk zones, especially for young children, senior citizens, diabetics and asthmatics. Breathing the pollution near busy roads worsens existing health conditions and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases. A 2010 report by the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine" found that exposure to traffic-related air pollution may cause asthma in children.

6. Keep indoor air as healthy as possible. Close windows and doors and use an air conditioning system to circulate clean, filtered air around your home. Don't vacuum, smoke or burn wood fireplaces, gas stoves or candles to keep indoor air pollution to a minimum.

Tips & Warnings

• Walk, bike, carpool or take public transport instead of driving your car and avoid burning wood or trash to help clean up the air in your community.

References

• LungUSA: American Lung Association: State of the Air 2011
• State of the Air: Health Effects of Ozone and Particle Pollution
• State of the Air: Air Quality Facts
• Family Doctor: Air Pollution
• "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; Traffic-Related Air Pollution and the Development of Asthma and Allergies During the First 8 Years of Life; U Gehring et al.; March 2010
• AirNow: How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health

Resources

• AirNow: Local Air Quality Conditions and Forecasts