Learning about Outdoor Air Quality
Dealing with a lung condition like COPD makes a lot of things more challenging, and even the simple things, like the quality of the air we breathe in, becomes a more important issue. Many of us have heard the terms “air quality” and “air quality index.” What do these phrases really mean and how important are they to patients with COPD? Read on to find out.
What is air quality?
Air quality simply refers to how clean or polluted the air is. This is then measured and reported by a tool called the “Air Quality Index,” or AQI. Every day, the air quality around us changes due to the presence of pollutants and other airborne particles. The concentrations of such pollutants are then measured by sensors in various locations, and the data is then converted into AQI values.
The AQI is calculated based on the five major air pollutants that are a threat to human health. These include: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
The AQI is updated every day, and in some places, every few hours, to reflect an accurate measurement of the amount of pollutants around us.
Why is it important?
The air we breathe is everyone’s concern, but more so, people suffering from lung conditions should be extra cautious of airborne particulate matter. Outdoor pollution is a major trigger for COPD exacerbations, which often end with visits to the emergency room or even a hospital admission.
The AQI is a very useful tool to use when determining the health risks associated with the current level of air pollution. AQI has a measurement scale from 0 to 500, with 0 meaning pure, clean air, and 500 reflecting toxic air. Thus, the higher the numerical value, the more pollution is present, posing severe harm to COPD patients.
How to use the AQI if you have COPD and other lung conditions
The AQI has six levels, where each level translates into certain health concerns that may arise from the amount of pollutants present. Each level is interpreted and shown as a certain color. What’s also very useful is that the AQI also recommends certain actions to be taken when each level is reached.
The Air Quality Index chart below shows the index values and their corresponding names, color, and health advice. Note that the health advice given here has been modified to cater particularly to patients who have COPD, asthma or other lung conditions.
Take note that a level of 100 is the benchmark for clean air. Levels below 100 usually have no health effects. Any value above this, however, gets dangerous for COPD patients and other people suffering from respiratory conditions. Higher levels, such as those above 200, eventually pose a risk to everyone.
As you can see, AQI is an important tool especially for those with chronic lung conditions. Based on the levels shown every day, you can then plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
Do you have other tips and advice to share about air quality and the AQI? Do comment below!
Air quality simply refers to how clean or polluted the air is. This is then measured and reported by a tool called the “Air Quality Index,” or AQI. Every day, the air quality around us changes due to the presence of pollutants and other airborne particles. The concentrations of such pollutants are then measured by sensors in various locations, and the data is then converted into AQI values.
The AQI is calculated based on the five major air pollutants that are a threat to human health. These include: particle pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
The AQI is updated every day, and in some places, every few hours, to reflect an accurate measurement of the amount of pollutants around us.
Why is it important?
The air we breathe is everyone’s concern, but more so, people suffering from lung conditions should be extra cautious of airborne particulate matter. Outdoor pollution is a major trigger for COPD exacerbations, which often end with visits to the emergency room or even a hospital admission.
The AQI is a very useful tool to use when determining the health risks associated with the current level of air pollution. AQI has a measurement scale from 0 to 500, with 0 meaning pure, clean air, and 500 reflecting toxic air. Thus, the higher the numerical value, the more pollution is present, posing severe harm to COPD patients.
How to use the AQI if you have COPD and other lung conditions
The AQI has six levels, where each level translates into certain health concerns that may arise from the amount of pollutants present. Each level is interpreted and shown as a certain color. What’s also very useful is that the AQI also recommends certain actions to be taken when each level is reached.
The Air Quality Index chart below shows the index values and their corresponding names, color, and health advice. Note that the health advice given here has been modified to cater particularly to patients who have COPD, asthma or other lung conditions.
|
Index value
|
Name
|
Color
|
Health
advice
|
|
0-50
|
Good
|
Green
|
You can get outside to do outdoor
activities and enjoy the clean air
|
|
51-100
|
Moderate
|
Yellow
|
Air quality may be okay, but as a
precautionary measure, spend only a short amount of time outdoors or rethink
prolonged activities
|
|
101-150
|
Unhealthy for sensitive groups
(USG)
|
Orange
|
Limit spending time outdoors and
only go out when absolutely necessary
|
|
151-200
|
Unhealthy
|
Red
|
Avoid prolonged outdoor exertion
|
|
201-300
|
Very unhealthy/ terrible
|
Purple
|
Avoid any outdoor exertion
|
|
301-500
|
Hazardous
|
Maroon
|
Completely stay indoors!
|
Take note that a level of 100 is the benchmark for clean air. Levels below 100 usually have no health effects. Any value above this, however, gets dangerous for COPD patients and other people suffering from respiratory conditions. Higher levels, such as those above 200, eventually pose a risk to everyone.
As you can see, AQI is an important tool especially for those with chronic lung conditions. Based on the levels shown every day, you can then plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
Do you have other tips and advice to share about air quality and the AQI? Do comment below!
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