Health Impacts of Poor Air Quality

Ground-level ozone, also known as smog, is the toxic gas that makes pollution harmful to human health. It forms when two pollutants, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) combine on a hot, sunny day. Ozone is a severe lung irritant and can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, and coughing. Prolonged exposure can cause reductions in lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and discomfort when breathing.

Who is at Risk?
Since we all breath the air around us, all of us, even healthy adults, are susceptible to harm from air pollution. However, children, who spend more time outdoors and are in critical stages of development, and the elderly, are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of ozone. In addition, populations living in areas with higher amounts of traffic (which are usually lower economic, urban areas) are more exposed to smog, and therefore are more at risk of its harmful effects.

When are you at Risk?
Although air pollution can always be harmful, smog is especially dangerous when the weather is hot and humid. According to a 1999 report from ABT Associates, during a typical smoggy summer, unhealthy air contributes to 2,400 emergency room visits and 130,000 asthma attacks.

DC Air Quality Code System
In order to advise the public in the DC Region of daily air quality levels, a code system has been designated, ranging from green (to indicate healthy conditions), to red (unhealthy) and purple (severely unhealthy). In recent summers, Code Red and Code Purple days have been on the rise, as have the frequency of asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments. In 2002, the DC region had 9 Code Red and 19 Code Orange days - days with high ozone levels that had serious health impacts for area residents. Instead of just telling us when the air is unhealthy, our regional government should be reducing air pollution by creating and following a more aggressive air quality plan.

More Information:
Air Pollution & Sprawl: A Major Threat to Our Health (Sierra Club)

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