Take Action on Hot Summer Days to Reduce Asthma Attacks (NY, PR, VI)
(New York, N.Y.) Summer is here and the hot
weather can cause ozone levels to rise, making the air unhealthy to
breathe, especially for people with asthma or other respiratory
ailments. On days like today and throughout the hot summer months,
it’s important to pay close attention to air quality. Like
the weather, air quality can change from day to day or even hour to
hour, and can have a serious affect on people’s
health.
The Air Quality Index uses a color-coded system
to display whether the five major air pollutants exceed air quality
standards for the day. When the Air Quality Index reports unhealthy
levels, people, particularly asthmatics and others with respiratory
ailments, should limit strenuous outdoor activities.
During the summer when ozone levels rise, the
number of people with asthma related symptoms admitted to hospitals
and emergency rooms increases. Asthma rates – especially
among children – have increased dramatically. Asthma affects
25 million people in the United States, including seven million
children. That’s 8 percent of the population. One out of
every 10 school-aged children is affected.
“Effective implementation of clean air
laws has improved air quality and provided better protection for
people living with asthma,” said Judith A. Enck, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator. “Yet
it still remains important for people to manage their asthma by
knowing the warning signs of attacks, avoiding things that can
trigger asthma attacks, and following the advice of their
healthcare providers. Children are especially vulnerable, but can
learn to manage their asthma at an early age with the help of their
doctors, teachers, friends, and families.”
In addition to talking with health care
providers, these steps can help prevent an asthma
episode:
Play it safe. Ground-level ozone and particle
pollution can make an asthma episode even worse. Look for the Air
Quality Index (AQI) during the local weather report or go to
EPA’s website https://www.airnow.gov/
Don’t smoke in the home. Take it outside.
One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is second- hand
smoke. Take the EPA ‘smoke-free home’ pledge: http://www.epa.gov/smokefree
Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger.
The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry
hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Remove, and if possible
replace, moldy ceiling tiles and carpet. For more see EPA’s
website: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/molds.html
For information on EPA’s regional asthma
program and other asthma triggers please see: http://www.epa.gov/asthma/awm
To hear an audio podcast about asthma: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-2
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