Particle levels can be elevated indoors, especially when
outdoor particle levels are high. Certain filters and
room air cleaners can help reduce indoor particle levels.
You also can reduce particle levels indoors by not
smoking inside, and by reducing your use of other par-
ticle sources such as candles, wood-burning stoves, and
fireplaces.
How can the Air Quality Index help?
In many areas, local media provide air quality forecasts
telling you when particle levels are expected to be
unhealthy. Forecasts use the same format as EPA's Air
Quality Index, or AQI, a tool that state and local agen-
cies use to issue public reports of actual levels of parti-
cles, ground-level ozone, and other common air
pollutants.
Using the AQTs color-coded scale, these forecasts help
you quickly learn when air pollution is expected to
reach unhealthy levels in your area. In the newspaper
forecast below, for example, the black arrow points to
the "orange" range, indicating that particle levels are
expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. On tele-
vision, you might hear a meteorologist say something
like this: "Tomorrow will be a code orange air quality
day, with particle pollution at levels that are unhealthy for
sensitive groups. If you have heart or lung disease, or if
you're an older adult or a child, you should plan strenuous
activities for a time when air quality is better, "
AIR QUALITY INDEX
Pollutant: Particles
Today's Forecast: 110
Quality: Unhealthy tor
Sensitive Groups
People with heart or lung disease,
older adults, and children are
the groups most at risk.
AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLE POLLUTION
Air Quality Index
Oto50
51 to 100
101 to 150
Air Quality
Good
Moderate
Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups
151 to 200
201 to 300
Unhealthy
Very Unhealthy
Health Advisory
None.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy
exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged
or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical
activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
www.epa.gov/airnow
United States
Environmental Protection
Particle Pollution
and Your Health
Daily air quality and health information are available on the
AIRNOW Web site.
AIRNOW
AIRNOW (www.epa.gov/airnow] is a Web site that
gives daily information about air quality, including
ground-level ozone and particles, and how they may
affect you. AIRNOW contains:
• Real-time particle levels for many locations.
• Air quality forecasts for many cities across the country.
• Kids' Web page and associated teacher curriculum.
• Smoke Web page.
• Links to state and local air quality programs.
• Ideas about what you can do to reduce particles.
For example, you can keep your car, boat, and
other engines well-tuned, and avoid using engines
that smoke. You can also participate in local energy
conservation programs.
"Photo courtesy of The Weather Channel.
Office of Air and Radiation
www. epa.gov/air
September 2003
EPA-452/F-03-001
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Airborne particles, the main ingredient of
haze, smoke, and airborne dust, present
serious air quality problems in many
areas of the United States. This particle pollu-
tion can occur year-round—and it can cause a
number of serious health problems, even at
concentrations found in many major cities.
Particles contribute to haze, such as this brown haze over Boston.
What is particle pollution?
Particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids
and liquid droplets suspended in air. This pollution,
also known as particulate matter, is made up of a num-
ber of components, including acids (such as nitrates
and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, soil or dust
particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen
or mold spores).
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.
Larger particles are of less concern, although they can
irritate your eyes, nose, and throat.
Small particles of concern include "fine particles" (such
as those found in smoke and haze), which are 2.5
micrometers in diameter or less; and "coarse particles"
(such as those found in wind-blown dust), which have
diameters between 2.5 and 10 micrometers.
Are you at risk from particles?
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and
children are considered at greater risk from particles
than other people, especially
when they are physically
active. Exercise and physical
activity cause people to
breathe faster and more
deeply—and to take more
particles into their lungs.
People with heart or lung
diseases—such as coronary
artery disease, congestive
heart failure, and asthma or
chronic obstructive pul-
monary disease (COPD)—
are at increased risk, because
particles can aggravate these diseases. People with dia-
betes also may be at increased risk, possibly because
they are more likely to have underlying cardiovascular
disease.
Older adults are at increased risk, possibly because they
may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease or dia-
betes. Many studies show that when particle levels are
high, older adults are more likely to be hospitalized,
and some may die of aggravated heart or lung disease.
Children are likely at increased risk for several reasons.
Their lungs are still developing; they spend more time
at high activity levels; and they are more likely to have
asthma or acute respiratory diseases, which can be
aggravated when particle levels are high.
It appears that risk varies throughout a lifetime, general-
ly being higher in early childhood, lower in healthy
adolescents and younger adults, and increasing in mid-
dle age through old age as the incidence of heart and
lung disease and diabetes increases. Factors that increase
your risk of heart attack, such as high blood pressure or
elevated cholesterol levels, also may increase your risk
from particles. In addition, scientists are evaluating new
studies that suggest that exposure to high particle levels
may also be associated with low birth weight in infants,
pre-term deliveries, and possibly fetal and infant deaths.
How can particles affect your health?
Particle exposure can lead to a variety of health effects.
For example, numerous studies link particle levels to
increased hospital admissions and emergency room
visits—and even to death from heart or lung diseases.
Both long- and short-term particle exposures have
been linked to health problems.
Long-term exposures, such as those experienced by
people living for many years in areas with high parti-
cle levels, have been associated with problems such as
reduced lung function and the development of chron-
ic bronchitis—and even premature death.
Short-term exposures to particles (hours or days) can
aggravate lung disease, causing asthma attacks and
acute bronchitis, and may also increase susceptibility
to respiratory infections. In people with heart disease,
short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks
and arrhythmias. Healthy children and adults have
not been reported to suffer serious effects from short-
term exposures, although they may experience tempo-
rary minor irritation when particle levels are elevated.
What are the symptoms of particle
exposure?
Even if you are healthy, you may experience tempo-
rary symptoms, such as irritation of the eyes, nose,
and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest tightness; and
shortness of breath.
If you have lung disease,
SCHOQI you may not be able to
breathe as deeply or as
vigorously as normal,
and you may experience
coughing, chest discom-
fort, wheezing, shortness
of breath, and unusual
fatigue. If you have any
of these symptoms,
reduce your exposure to
particles and follow your
doctor's advice. Contact
your doctor if symptoms
persist or worsen. If you have asthma, carefully follow
your asthma management plan when particle levels are
high. Your doctor can help you develop a plan if you
don't have one.
If you have heart disease, particle exposure can cause
serious problems in a short period of time—even heart
attacks—with no warning signs. So don't assume that
you are safe just because you don't have symptoms.
Symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, palpita-
tions, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indi-
cate a serious problem. If you have any of these symp-
toms, follow your doctor's advice,
How can you avoid unhealthy exposure?
Your chances of being affected by particles increase the
more strenuous your activity and the longer you are
active outdoors. If your activity involves prolonged or
heavy exertion, reduce your activity time—or substitute
another that involves less exertion. Go for a walk
instead of a jog, for example. Plan outdoor activities for
days when particle levels are lower. And don't exercise
near busy roads; particle levels generally are higher in
these areas.
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