Poor air quality can take a toll on our lungs and overall health.
Dr. Maeve MacMurdo, a pulmonologist with Cleveland Clinic, explains why it’s important to pay attention to air quality alerts.
“People weren’t thinking about air quality for a long time. You may have seen an air quality alert and didn’t give it much thought,” MacMurdo said. “But people are now realizing more and more that poor air quality can impact our health.”
According to MacMurdo, poor air quality not only makes symptoms worse for those living with chronic lung diseases -- but it can up your chances of developing something like asthma as well.
Air pollution may also increase a person’s risk of developing other conditions such as lung cancer, breast cancer and heart disease.
You can keep tabs on the air quality in your area by using the U.S. Air Quality Index.
Although air pollution can be harmful to anyone -- children, older adults and those with certain chronic health conditions should take extra precautions when the air quality is poor.
MacMurdo recommends limiting your time outside when there’s an active air quality alert and trying to minimize indoor pollutants.
“If you have an indoor air purifier, a HEPA air purifier, those can really help to reduce the amount of air pollution that’s coming inside the home,” MacMurdo said. “Avoid doing things like burning candles or incense as well because that’s going to create indoor air pollution.”
When air quality is poor, MacMurdo also suggests staying away from activities like mowing the lawn to avoid creating more pollution.