Wellness

[granddi]

We never gave much thought to air quality until moving from a rural to a metro area. I always thought this was a concern for LA smog or China. 

We have 3 large air purifiers inside our home. And we avoid prolonged outdoor activities when the air quality alerts indicate a risk to vulnerable individuals. 

We both have healthy lungs and want to keep it that way. I cannot imagine the concerns of  someone with asthma, emphysema,copd, PF.

So everyday we get our alerts for air quality/polution/humidity/temps.

[Desertdi]

Ha....    I grew up in Chicago, and spent 25 years in L.A.    I am retired in Phoenix...........which has WORSE SMOG than BOTH of my former homes.

[kaydee50]

Air quality in much of the northern US has been affected by the wildfires in Canada.  Hazy conditions here in Chicago although no air quality alerts.

[spiderw]

As someone who has been an environmentalist since a very young age, air and water quality have always been a health concern.  Too many companies get away with polluting our air among other factors.  No one has the right o harm our health or well being and clean air and safe water are but two things everyone should want.

[hckynutjohn]

@granddi 

I am not really concerned about the air quality where we live. I worked for over 30+ years in a factory, which melted PVC onto telephone wires and cables. Written on the huge boxes in 1959: "possible cancer causing agent".

My lungs are scarred, but not from my manufacturing jobs, they were still working at 100% my 1st Breathing Test after I retired. This was caused from having Pneumonia 2 times, and Aspiration Pneumonia with my 1st heart attack. 

All my Pulmonologist's Breathing Tests showed no diminished lung capacity. Last one I had was in 2021, but now being diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, and my Ejection Fraction Numbers? My lungs are not my problem, it's getting enough blood pumping to them.

You "both have healthy lungs" and fall into the "vulnerable risk" category?  If so, do what you you gotta do.

Remember the Fallen  🇺🇸🇺🇸

hckynut 

[SilleeMee]

About a week ago Denver ranked in the top 5 worst air quality cities in the world. Mainly b/c of the fire smoke from Alberta coming to that location magnified by the geological and atmospheric characteristics of that area. I'm in Colorado Springs and the air here was ranking up in the danger zone also from the fires up in Canada. 

Go to AirPlumeLabs dot com to get air quality reports for your city or the closest major city if you are not in a major city. It's posted in real time. Stats posted as AQI (Air Quality Index).

[granddi]

From American Lung Association: At risk groups

Someone in every family is likely to be at risk from air pollution. Does someone you love belong to one of these vulnerable groups?

People with lung diseases such as asthma or COPD face greater risk from air pollution. Here are a few of the threats: shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks, and increased need for medical attention and admission to the emergency department or hospital. Breathing some pollutants can even kill—they can shorten life by months to years.

Children and teenagers have lungs that continue to develop until they reach maturity. Children and teens can be more active when they are outdoors, so they may inhale more pollution. Children face greater risk of infection, coughing and bronchitis from air pollution. Growing up breathing high air pollution may even affect how children's lungs develop, putting them at greater risk of lung disease as they age. Learn more about children and air pollution.

Older adults are at increased risk from air pollution. As people age, their bodies become increasingly vulnerable to the assault from dirty air. Many older adults may be active outdoors.  Studies have found older adults face a greater risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems after breathing ozone and particle pollution.

People with a cardiovascular disease or diabetes can be at risk from some air pollutants, especially particle pollution. Breathing particle pollution can shorten life by months to years. Particle pollution can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and increase the need for medical attention, hospital admission and emergency department visits. People with cardiovascular disease also face higher risk from other pollutants, including carbon monoxide and ozone.

People who have lower incomes face greater risk from air pollution. Often they live closer to the sources of pollution, including near major highways or factories. Sometimes they are more likely to have diseases that put them at higher risk. Learn more about disparities in the impact of air pollution.

People who work or exercise outdoors can face higher risk because they spend more time outdoors and their activity outdoors may increase the amount of air they inhale.

People who live or work near busy highways may face greater risk than being in other places in a community. Learn more about the risk of living and working near busy highways.