5 Tips for Staying Safe In Poor Air Quality

5 Tips for Staying Safe In Poor Air Quality

Post Date: Sep 01, 2021
Preventative Care

This summer of record wildfires has heightened awareness of air quality and how it impacts our health, especially for those already at higher risk for adverse health impacts. Wildfires, dust, auto pollution, and particles from the woodstove, and garbage burning can all contribute to poor air quality, making fresh mountain air scarce in Montana from time to time. Being aware of what’s in the air and how to respond can help you stay safe when haze, pollen, and smoke take over the skies. Here are five tips for staying healthy when air quality becomes hazardous.

Use Online Tools to Check Local Air Quality

There are plenty of online resources for checking local air quality. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has an online air monitoring tool, and plenty of local weather sites include air quality information. But what exactly makes air quality bad?

According to the Columbia Climate School, anything between 151 and 200 on the air quality index is considered unhealthy. Above 200, levels go up to very unhealthy or even hazardous, but even air quality below 151 could be dangerous for some groups of especially sensitive people. Those numbers are based on the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air.

Know Your Personal Threshold

The threshold of safe air quality will vary from person to person. An air quality index (AQI) of 105-150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Some sensitive groups include children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions like asthma, other respiratory issues, and heart conditions. In general, anyone under 18, over 65, and/or with a pre-existing medical condition is considered to be in a sensitive group.

Keep an Eye Out for Common Symptoms

That tickle in your throat, burning eyes or cough, and difficulty breathing could signal that you’ve spent too much time in unhealthy air. Particle Pollution Exposure can lead to coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue, especially in people with respiratory issues.

Others may be affected in different ways or show no outward respiratory symptoms at all when they’ve been exposed to an excess of pollutants. But, just because someone’s not coughing doesn’t mean they’re not impacted. People with cardiovascular conditions have been known to experience heart attacks caused by overexposure to particle pollutants, and some may experience other health issues down the line.

Keep an Eye Out for Common Symptoms

That tickle in your throat, burning eyes or cough, and difficulty breathing could signal that you’ve spent too much time in unhealthy air. Particle Pollution Exposure can lead to coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue, especially in people with respiratory issues.

Others may be affected in different ways or show no outward respiratory symptoms at all when they’ve been exposed to an excess of pollutants. But, just because someone’s not coughing doesn’t mean they’re not impacted. People with cardiovascular conditions have been known to experience heart attacks caused by overexposure to particle pollutants, and some may experience other health issues down the line.

Avoid Certain Outdoor Activities in Poor Air Quality

Some outdoor activities as low in intensity as camping or yard work may have a negative impact on an individual’s health. Just by being outside longer than your system can tolerate, outdoor activities of any kind may become a no-go during periods of poor air quality. Even going for a walk can be too much exertion depending on the amount of particles in the air and your sensitivity level. During times of poor air quality, avoid spending time outdoors and especially doing activities that cause you to breathe heavily, like running.

Learn Ways to Stay Active Indoors

During wildfire season, it can be frustrating to miss out on your favorite outdoor activities. And we all know that physical activity is generally good for your health. But in poor air quality, recreating or exercising outdoors can actually cause more harm than good. So have a few indoor activities in your arsenal that can keep you active.

If you can, seek out a membership with a gym or community center so you can walk indoors on the treadmill, lift weights or take fitness classes. Or, you could even go for a walk at your local mall or shopping center instead. Tap into those COVID-19 exercise habits with in-home YouTube fitness videos or virtual yoga classes. Indoor air passes through ventilation systems and filters, so even having your windows open on a bad air day can expose you to too many nasty particles. Being proactive with prevention is the best defense against polluted air.

To receive air quality recommendations tailored to your personal health, discuss your unique situation with a healthcare provider. For more information on ways to maintain your health and wellness, get in touch with your closest CHP clinic for an affordable appointment and quality medical care.