I am a
senior. How can smog affect my health?
If you are a senior who suffers from heart disease or lung conditions such as
asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, smog can make your symptoms worse.
Smog can decrease the lung’s working capacity. On a Smog Alert day, breathing
may be more difficult. You may find your daily activities harder to do, and you
may be more tired.
Smog reduces the respiratory system’s ability to fight infections and remove
foreign particles, increasing your risk of getting sick.
How do I protect my health on a Smog Alert day?
Relax and take it easy. Postpone strenuous outdoor work or exercise if possible
to another time when the alert is over.
If you must be outside, take lots of breaks, preferably in the shade or an air
conditioned area.
Avoid being outside around high traffic areas and during peak rush hour times to
minimize your exposure to smog.
Drink water and natural juices frequently.
If you experience symptoms such as tightness in your chest, wheezing, or
shortness of breath, seek medical attention.
Children and smog
How can smog affect the health of my child?
Children are more likely to experience respiratory effects of smog such as
wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, because:
Children breathe in more air than adults and they breathe faster than adults
especially during strenuous activity and play.
Children tend to breathe through their mouths and by-pass the natural filtering
system in the nose. This allows large amounts of polluted air to get directly
into their lungs.
Children spend more time outside than adults.
Smog increases a child's risk of getting sick. Children are more susceptible to
infections than adults, smog reduces the respiratory system's ability to fight
infection and remove foreign particles.
Smog can make the symptoms of childhood asthma and allergies worse.
How do I protect the health of my child on a Smog Alert day?
Reduce your child's outdoor work, play or exercise.
Children with asthma and allergies should avoid being outside.
Postpone any "must be outside" activities if possible to another time when the
alert is over.
Avoid your child from being outside during peak rush hour times and being around
high traffic areas to reduce exposure to smog.
Smog and people with heart and lung conditions
I have a heart or lung condition. How does smog affect my health?
If you suffer from heart disease or a lung condition such as asthma, emphysema,
or chronic bronchitis, smog can make your symptoms worse.
Smog can decrease the lung's working capacity. During a Smog Alert day,
breathing may be more difficult. You may find your daily activities harder to
do, and you may be more tired.
Smog reduces the respiratory system's ability to fight infection and remove
foreign particles, increasing your risk of getting sick.
Smog can make the symptoms of allergies and asthma worse.
I have a heart or lung condition. How do I protect my health on a Smog Alert
day?
Relax and take it easy. Postpone strenuous outdoor work or exercise if possible
to another time when the alert is over.
If you must be outside, take lots of breaks, preferably in the shade or an air
conditioned area.
Avoid being outside around high traffic areas and during peak rush hour times to
minimize your exposure to smog.
Drink water and natural juices frequently.