Why is PM bad?
Why is PM bad?
Particle Pollution and Your Health Breathing in particle pollution can be harmful to your health. Coarse (bigger) particles, called PM10, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. Fine (smaller) particles, called PM2.5, are more dangerous because they can get into the deep parts of your lungs — or even into your blood.
What does bad air quality do to your body?
Poor air quality can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Breathing polluted air for long periods of time can cause more serious problems.
Can you get sick from bad air quality?
High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems including: Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness. Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen. Damaged cells in the respiratory system.
Who is most at risk for air pollution?
Populations most at risk of health problems related to air pollution:
- People with lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Infants and young children.
- People who work or exercise outdoors.
- Adults over 65.
- People with a cardiovascular disease.
Is it safe to walk in unhealthy air quality?
It’s safe to exercise outdoors. Moderate (26-50): Air quality is fine. Moderately Unhealthy (51-100): Raised levels of pollutants may affect your breathing if you exercise outdoors, even for healthy individuals. Pollutants can cause health problems if you have a lung or heart condition.
How long can you be in unhealthy air quality?
If the air quality is especially poor, it may take a few days for your body to recover. And if you’re regularly exposed to high levels of unhealthy air, the health consequences can linger for months or even years. One of the most-studied pollutants in summertime air is an invisible gas called ozone.
How do you fix bad air quality?
Here are 7 things you can do right away to improve the air quality in your home:
- Change your AC filter.
- Don’t forget about other air filters.
- Check your air ducts.
- Use cooking vents.
- Keep your rugs and carpets clean.
- Control humidity in your home.
- Buy indoor plants to freshen the air.