The hazy, hot and humid days of summer have arrived in Beaufort. But even though you cannot see it, polluted air can cause difficulty breathing, flare-ups of allergy or asthma, and other lung problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution can raise the risk of other diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
When the weather is warm, an invisible gas called ozone can make it harder for some people to breathe. This gas is created when sunlight triggers a chemical reaction between oxygen and certain pollutants from cars, factories, and other sources.
Ozone can irritate the lining of your airways and lungs. People with asthma and other lung conditions are more likely to feel its effects.
“When people with poorly controlled asthma are exposed to low levels of ozone, the amount of inflammation in the lungs goes way up,” explains Dr. Daryl Zeldin, a lung and environmental health science expert at the National Institute of Health. “As a result, air passages narrow, which makes it much harder to breathe.”
Tips to breathe easier:
- Avoid outdoor activities in the afternoons on warm days when the risk of air pollution is highest.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities if the air is polluted. Check your region’s air quality index (EPA). Orange and red mean it’s a bad air day, so people with lung problems should avoid the outdoors. Purple and maroon mean air pollution is extreme, and everyone should try to stay in an indoor environment with clean air.
- Reduce pollutants in your home. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home. Avoid burning candles, incense, or wood fires. Run fans or open a window when cooking. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter instead of sweeping to avoid stirring up dust and allergens.
