KNOW THE AIR

KNOW THE AIR

You’ll need to know what the air quality is near you so you can adjust your activities accordingly. There are multiple ways to do this, so find the way that works best for you.

Air Pollution Control District

The Valley Air District, a government-run agency, maintains a monitoring network across the San Joaquin Valley. They monitor for both winter-time particulate matter and summer-time ozone (smog).

Weather Underground

The air quality index is integrated within the weather report at Weather Underground. You can download their app for your iPhone or check wunderground.com.

Purple Air

Purple Air maintains a map of real-time, community-run air monitors across the world. In some locations, there are more community monitors than governmental. It is important to note that these sensors only measure PM2.5, so are not useful during summer-time smog events.

ADJUST ACTIVITIES ACCORDINGLY

Once you know the air quality, consult the chart at right to determine what activities you should or shouldn’t do. Click the chart for a larger image (which you can print and put on your fridge!)

N95 masks filter out 95% of the winter-time pollution. You can find them at any hardware store

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

The American Heart and Lung Associations have both compiled overwhelming evidence that particle pollution kills. Living in an area with high PM2.5 increases our risk of respiratory diseases, heart disease, heart failure, stroke and pre-mature death. [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Those with lung conditions: Our winter-time pollution is made up of very fine particles suspended in air. When inhaled, these particles can aggravate our respiratory system and lead to asthma attacks and COPD hospitalizations

Those with heart conditions: The ultra-fine particles in our air are so small, they can move directly from the lungs into the bloodstream, constricting or blocking blood flow to the heart and brain. Research conducted in the San Joaquin Valley has found high particle pollution is directly correlated with increased hospitalizations for heart attack! [3]This is why those with heart conditions and high blood pressure should take heed.

Workers who spend time outside: Those who spend their working life outside are chronically exposed to the Valley’s poor air quality. Heightened exposure qualifies workers as a ‘sensitive group,’ so it is suggested they wear a protective mask when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 150 or above.

Young People (0-18 years):Children have higher respiratory rates – they breathe more air per minute than adults – so they’re more exposed to air pollution. Young people also have developing lungs, and research has shown high pollution can permanently stunt lung development, lead to chronic cough and bronchitis, as well as wheezing and asthma attacks.

Older People (65+ yrs): The lungs of an older person are less elastic and less able to filter out polluted air. The elderly also have a more compromised immune system than younger people. People over the age of 65 are therefore more likely to develop respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, COPD, and other heart and lung diseases.

Pregnant Women: Many studies have identified associations between air pollution and low birth weight, heart defects, preterm birth, mutated DNA, and infant mortality. Pregnant mothers should take the same precautions as those with asthma or other heart or lung conditions during periods of bad air.

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