Copyright Newsweek
Thousands of people in Oregon have been urged to stay indoors amid concerns over high air pollution levels. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which provides a real-time snapshot of air quality, showed that air pollution levels around Sweet Home, north-east of Eugene, are in the unhealthy range on Friday morning. The warnings mean that the risk of negative health effects from air pollution are increased for the general public, as well as vulnerable populations. Why It Matters Air pollution poses significant health risks to the general public, in particular for the young, seniors and vulnerable populations such as those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The EPA warns that exposure to ambient ozone is a "risk factor for triggering acute and chronic health effects." Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, increases in mortality and hospital admissions from respiratory diseases, asthma attacks and new cases of asthma, the EPA said. "Because ambient ozone exposure is a risk factor for triggering both acute and chronic health effects, it is desirable for people to reduce both short-term and cumulative exposure to ozone," the agency said. "People with asthma or other respiratory diseases who know they are affected by ozone exposure will benefit the most from exposure reductions." What To Know The AirNow map shows a red air quality warning on Thursday morning covering Sweet Home and the Lower Pleasant Valley, which have a population of more than 10,000 people. The "dangerous" red warning means that "some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." The EPA warned: "Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Everyone else, especially children, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors." An orange warning, meaning that air pollution levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups, is also in force for a large area north-east of Sweet Home, covering the town of Mill City. The warning means that members of sensitive groups, such a those with respiratory conditions, may experience heath effects, while the general public is less likely to be impacted. What People Are Saying The EPA said about the "unhealthy" air pollution waring: "Members of sensitive groups are likely to experience more severe effects. EPA's risk assessment indicates that at this level for healthy individuals (adults and children) at moderate exertion: 1. approximately 30 percent are estimated to experience moderate or greater lung function impairment; 2. approximately 15 percent are estimated to experience large or greater lung function impairments; and 3. approximately five percent are estimated to experience moderate to severe respiratory symptoms (i.e., chest pain with deep inspiration and aggravated cough)." The EPA also says on its website: "The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep into your lungs, and some may even get into your bloodstream. "Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease; nonfatal heart attacks; irregular heartbeat; aggravated asthma; decreased lung function; increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing." Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, told Newsweek previously: "There are very clear links between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases." What Happens Next Air quality warnings are updated regularly by the EPA and National Weather Service. Residents in affected areas can access daily forecasts and health guidance via airnow.gov and local agencies, with officials providing current information as environmental conditions develop.
