How Can You Protect Yourself?
People with asthma should be aware that on high
ozone days they may be more susceptible to asthma
attacks.
WATCH FOR OZONE ACTION DAYS
Ozone Action Days are called when weather
forecasters predict weather conditions that are likely
to cause high ozone.
LIMIT TIME OUTDOORS
People at risk should try to limit their time outdoors on
high ozone days in order to reduce the risk of exposure
to ozone. When indoors it is recommended to stay in a
well ventilated or air-conditioned environment.
CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR
If, at any time, you experience symptoms such as
tightness in the chest, coughing and wheezing, contact
your doctor or local clinic.
What Else Can You Do?
In addition to the precautions you can take to reduce
your exposure to ozone, you can also do your part to
reduce the ozone problem. As part of the Ozone Action
Day Program, the area's industries, small businesses,
and local residents are asked to voluntarily reduce
emissions that can cause ozone pollution.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE OZONE
POLLUTION INCLUDE:
• Postpone mowing your lawn.
• Fill your car's gas tank in the evening.
• Carpool, bus, walk, or bike to work.
For More Information
Contact your State air pollution control agency
or U.S. EPA:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
(217)782-5562
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
(800)451-6027
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(800)621-8431
Chicago Area Daily Air Quality Report
(708) 865-q»vlronmental Protection Agency
Region 5 Library
77 W. Jackson Blvd. (PL-16J)
CHfcago, IL 60604-3507
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 5
77 West Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604
May 1997
905-K-97-004
3>EPA A Special Alert
For
PEOPLE WITH
ASTHMA
And Other
Respiratory Problems
IN THE CHICAGO
METROPOLITAN AREA AND
NORTHWEST INDIANA
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WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE AIR?
What is Ozone?
Ground-level ozone is commonly referred to as smog.
Smog is formed when a mixture of air pollutants are
"baked" in the hot, summer sun. These pollutants are
released from cars and factories.
I ,
When people think about ozone, they usually
picture a thick layer of smog over Los Angeles. They
may not think that Chicago and Northwest Indiana
also have a smog problem.
However, people in the Chicago and Northwest
Indiana metropolitan area face a challenging ozone
problem that poses a significant health risk. The
ozone problem affects the outlying suburban and
rural areas as well as Chicago, Aurora, Waukegan,
and Gary.
What are the Health Effects
of Ozone?
Although it cannot be seen or tasted, ozone can
cause a variety of effects on your respiratory system.
COUGHING AND WHEEZING
Ozone can irritate your lungs and throat, causing
symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Ozone can constrict your breathing passages,
making it harder to breathe.
CHEST PAIN
Ozone reacts with lung tissue, causing swelling
and chest pain.
Who is at Risk?
These health effects are of concern to everyone
who works, plays or spends time outdoors, even the
healthiest people. However, the effects are most
dangerous for people with asthma, children, and
the elderly.
ASTHMATICS
Ozone can aggravate asthma, causing more asthma
attacks, increased use of medication, more medical
treatment, and more visits to hospital emergency
clinics.
CHILDREN
Asthma is one of the leading causes of childhood
hospital admissions. In addition, children are more
susceptible to the effects of ozone because:
• Pound for pound, children breathe more
air (and ozone) than adults.
• Children spend more time outdoors than
adults.
• Children's respiratory systems are still
developing.
ELDERLY
Ozone presents an increased risk to the elderly
because it can aggravate pre-existing respiratory
diseases and is associated with increased hospital
admissions.
The elderly experience reduced sensitivity to the
symptoms of ozone; therefore, early warning signs of
the harmful effects of ozone may not be present.
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