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Staying healthy outdoors: Air Quality
- Ozone
- Airborne Particles
- Contaminated soil
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- Temperature extemes
- Air quality forecast
Asthma
Asthma is the leading cause of
long-term illness in children and
is also common in older adults
who may have managed it for
years or developed it later in
life. Indoor asthma triggers,
such as smoke, dust mites,
pet fur and skin flakes, molds,
cockroaches, house dust, and
pollen are some of the irritants
and allergens common in
many homes. These irritants and
allergens can cause more frequent
or more severe asthma attacks
for some children with
asthma.
Research on environmental
factors that cause or worsen
asthma has focused on indoor
and outdoor environmental
triggers, including nitrogen
dioxide, pesticides, plasticizer,
volatile organic compounds,
and fine particles. Chronic
exposure to ozone may be linked
asthma
8
to development of asthma
in 
children who exercise outside.
Chronic exposure to fine
particles may affect lung function
and growth. Such pollutants also
can exacerbate asthma, leading
to breathing difficulties, increased
use of medication and visits to
doctors' offices, emergency rooms
and hospitals.
Action
you can take: . Keep your home as
free of these triggers as
possible.
. For more in-depth
information on asthma,
go to: epa.gov/envirohealth/children or
to
www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org 
Ozone
Ground-level ozone (one of the
main ingredients in smog) is
created when pollution from cars and
trucks and industrial sources reacts
with sunlight on hot summer
days. Ozone near
ground level can harm
the respiratory system,
causing irritation in
the throat, coughing
and chest discomfort.
Ozone can aggravate
asthma, emphysema and
bronchitis and can inflame and
damage, temporarily or permanently,
the cells that line the lungs.
Action you can take:
Listen to forecasts for high ozone or smog in your area. This advice applies especially to children and adults with respiratory problems.
Airborne particles
Airborne particles (also called fine
particles or particulate matter) are another
major ingredient of smog and
the main ingredient of haze. Airborne
particles come from various sources,
including fuel burning activities such
as power plants, incinerators, trucks
and buses, and wood stoves and fireplaces.
Smoke, airborne dust, dirt,
soot and liquid droplets can pose serious
air quality problems in the home
and to children. Particle pollution
can occur year-round and can affect
both the lungs and heart. Short-term
exposure to particles can aggravate
lung disease, causing asthma attacks
and acute bronchitis, and may also
increase susceptibility to respiratory
infections. Particle levels can be
elevated indoors, especially when
outdoor particle levels are high.
To reduce indoor levels of fine particles, refrain from smoking and reduce the use of candles, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Certain filters and room air cleaners can help reduce indoor particle levels. However, some air purifiers release potentially harmful levels of ozone and some fail to effectively remove unwanted particles. Listen to local forecasts to find out when particle levels are high in your area and reduce outdoor activities to reduce exposure. This advice applies especially to people with respiratory or heart disease, the older adults and children.
Contaminated soil
Soil surrounding the home can
become contaminated by lead and
other metals, especially from chipping
and peeling lead-based house
paint. Vegetables or fruits grown
in lead-contaminated soil may also
contain lead.
Have your soil tested for lead. Don’t grow vegetables if the testing shows high 9 levels of lead in the soil. If your soil is contaminated and you still want to grow fruits or vegetables, purchase topsoil and potting soil and grow the plants in containers. Also, landscape your yard to minimize exposure. Go to www.epa.gov/region01/leadsafe for detailed information on what more you can do.
Ultraviolet (UV)
radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun
may damage skin, cause eye damage and suppress the immune system
when exposure is excessive. Sunlight
tends to be strongest in the summer
in the middle of a clear day; however,
UV is present at some level whenever
the sun is up, all day, all year
— even on cloudy days.
Overexposure to the
sun’s harmful UV light
may damage skin,
cause eye damage
and suppress the
immune system.
Temperature extremes
New England's unusually hot or cold weather can present a threat to the health
of older adults people. When winter temperatures drop significantly below
normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Many homes will
be too cold, either due to a power failure or because the heating system
isn't
adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces
to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk
of carbon monoxide poisoning. In summer the opposite can be true. During a
heat wave, it can be difficult to fi nd cool relief and homes can become
dangerously overheated. Sensitivity to temperature extremes increases
as we age.
Air quality forecast
EPA works in coordination with local weather forecasters to provide a color-coded chart that reports air quality levels in communities across New England. You may see this chart on local weather forecasts. The purpose of the Air Quality Index and Forecast is to help you understand what local air quality means to your health. It is divided into categories that corresponds to a different level of health concern. For more information, please refer to the AQI detailed AQI chart on the AIRNOW Web site.