Air Quality Map
DID YOU KNOW?
It is estimated that in the most polluted cities,
lives are shortened by an average of one to two years.
Pollen
Maps: What's In The Air? | Air Quality | Grass
Pollen | Tree
Pollen | Weed
Pollen
- Very High
- Almost all individuals with any sensitivity
at all to these pollens and molds will experience symptoms. Extremely
sensitive people could have severe symptoms.
- High
- Most individuals with any sensitivity to
these pollens and molds will experience symptoms.
- Moderate
- Many individuals sensitive to these pollens
and molds will experience symptoms.
- Low*
- Only individuals extremely sensitive to
these pollens and molds will experience symptoms.
- None*
- Allergy sufferers with sensitivity to these
pollens and molds will probably not experience any symptoms.
- * Early seasonal
exposure to high amounts of air-borne allergens in individuals sensitive to
allergy pollens will "prime" an individual to react to even the
smallest amounts of pollens later in the season. Lower recorded daily pollen
counts following higher seasonal pollination patterns may not provide any
relief to allergy sufferers who have been repeatedly exposed to pollens
during the season.
Air Pollution
Can Be a Killer!
Air pollution is defined as the release of any
hazardous substances, pollutant, or contaminant into the air that may create a
hazard to general health. It is measured in terms of "particulate
matter," or, the number of particles of these potentially hazardous
substances as a percentage of air. According to the National Resources Defense
Council, some 64,000 people may be dying prematurely from cardiopulmonary causes
linked to air pollution. It is estimated that in the most polluted cities, lives
are shortened by an average of one to two years. This link was made when the
National Resources Defense Council applied findings from a 1995 study by the
American Cancer Society and the Harvard Medical School.
Particulate matter includes a wide range of
pollutants -- road dust, diesel soot, fly ash, wood smoke, nitrates in
fertilizers and sulfate aerosols. The principal source of such particle emission
is the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, and wood.
What is
"unhealthy" air?
The suggested Federal limit of an
"average" of 50 micrograms of "particulate matter" per cubic
foot of air (in a one year period) is considered poor air quality. There is
evidence that the daily peak levels that contribute to the year average, can
have significant impact on an individual's health. The elderly and those with
heart, lung, or asthma problems are most at risk. The exact impact of poor air
quality on health is not thoroughly understood, but long term exposure to
particulates may increase susceptibility to infections. Those with chronic lung
diseases or heart disease may also have their conditions exacerbated. Monitoring
the daily pollution forecasts may be useful for those with chronic conditions,
so that outside exposure can be limited on bad days.
What can I do to
help?
Individuals can contribute to cleaner air by
instituting changes in the things that they control which may contribute to poor
air quality. For instance, carpooling or taking public transportation,
maintaining automobile emissions controls on one's cars, walking or biking to
work or school can make a difference. Limiting the use of fireplaces or wood and
coal burning stoves, and seeking out more efficient heating and cooling systems
can also contribute to cleaner air.
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Allergy
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