Welcome to Air Quality Guide
Improving Air Quality Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
The Air Quality We Live In
from:Air quality is extremely important to our health and overall well being. Although it's something we all tend to take for granted, the air quality around us plays a very important role in our lives. We've all heard people talking about the ozone and the ozone layer and how harmful it can be to the air quality around us. Ozone is a colorless gas that's everywhere in the air we breathe. Depending on where you're at when it appears will determine if it's good or bad ozone. It occurs in the stratosphere, the upper atmosphere of the Earth and protects the Earth form sun's ultraviolet rays.
When the ozone is at ground level, it is considered an air pollutant and can be very harmful to our health. Ground level ozone affects our air quality when the oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds react to sunlight. This ozone comes from vehicles like trucks, cars, buses, etc., lawn and garden equipment, construction equipment, large factories and industries, paints and cleaners.
Air quality is tested and determine by the air quality index, which a standardized indicator of what the quality of the air is in one specific location. It measures the ozone at ground level as well as amount of particles in the air, which may include nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide. The pollen count, which will also affect the air quality, is not listed in the air quality index. Certain times of the day will affect the ozone, which, in turn, affects our air quality. In urban environments, the ozone is likely to reach an unhealthy level on a hot sunny day because of the urban smog.
Rural areas can also be affected by unhealthy ozone layers because it can travel a long ways via the wind. There are some sites that give air quality reports on a daily basis so the public knows how polluted or clean the air may be that day. This is specifically important for those that may have allergies and need to know the outdoor air quality conditions before planning outdoor activities.
The ozone can cause health problems by making it harder to breathe, causing pain when breathing as well as shortness of breathing, damaging the lung lining, increases or causes coughing and aggravates lung diseases. Although the ozone affects all of us, some people are more susceptible to problems caused from poor air quality due to the ozone. These may include individuals with lung disease like emphysema, asthma or bronchitis as well as elderly. Even healthy people may occasionally be affected by the harmful effects of the ozone.
Improving Air Quality News
Air Quality Improving in Many U.S. Cities: Report
WEDNESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Air quality in America's most polluted cities has improved significantly over the past decade, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
Read more...Air quality improving, but still fails
Air quality in the region is still receiving a failing grade despite gradual improvements, according to a report published Wednesday by the American Lung Association.The region ranked the eighth worst in the nation for annual particle pollution and 21st worst for highest number of high ozone days. Even though both numbers were high, both were improvements from a decade ago, the report said.
Read more...Looking For Tips On Improving Indoor Air Quality For Allergy Suffers?
[geisel] Pollen, dander, dust and mold are unpleasant airborne particles that will leave allergy sufferers feeling tired, itchy and irritated. Fortunately, improving indoor air quality will help alleviate the allergy symptoms and increase your overall health. Improving indoor air quality is not a difficult task if you have the right information and tools. Dehumidifier A high level of humidity ...
Read more...REGION: Air quality improving, but still failing, lung association reports
San Diego's air quality has grown steadily cleaner in recent years, but the county still earned an "F" grade on the American Lung Association's annual "State of the Air Report."
Read more...Pennsylvania Air Quality Improving Slowly
Pennsylvania has again made a few appearances in the latest State of the Air report issued by the National Lung Association. Air quality in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas ranked again among the worst in America. Environment News Service reports air quality in the regions scored some of the best levels ever with regard to small particle pollution, and Lancaster, Pa., fell off the most ...
Read more...