Your Child's Asthma and Ozone
Poor air quality can be a problem for
many people who live in and near cities. And for children with asthma, air pollution
can cause serious health problems. Ozone and air pollution can be a trigger for your
child's asthma. As with all triggers, the key is to avoid or minimize exposure as much as
possible.
One of the main signs of poor air
quality is a high amount of ozone. Ozone is a gas that forms when certain chemicals and
toxins in the air mix with heat and sunlight. But ozone is not something you can see. It's
not like other signs of poor air quality such as smog.
High levels of ozone can cause breathing problems. Some symptoms include coughing, throat irritation, and airway inflammation. Children with asthma may have more severe symptoms. They are also more likely to have an asthma attack when ozone levels are high.
Ozone is more likely to form in warm
weather. This means children are more likely to have breathing problems when playing
outdoors in the summer. Ozone levels are often highest from April through October. In some
parts of the country, levels may be high all year.
How you can help
You can take a number of steps to protect your child from ozone and air pollution:
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Check of the air quality index (AQI) in your area every day. The AQI is a report on the levels of common air pollution across the U.S. When the AQI in your area is 100 or higher, limit the time your child spends outdoors. You can find the AQI for your area in local newspapers, on local TV and radio stations (as part of the weather forecast), and online.
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On"ozone action days," people with asthma should
stay inside if they can.
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On other days with poor
air-quality, limit the time your child spends outside during the afternoon and
early evening hours. This is when ozone levels are often highest. Early in the
morning and after sunset are better times for outdoor play.
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Keep children indoors or away from busy roads when ozone levels are high. Outside play is better in the mornings when air quality is better.
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Use your air conditioner in hotter months.
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Don't use tools such as
lawnmowers that are powered with gasoline when children are outside.
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Seal the lids of all
household cleaners and other chemicals to keep fumes from escaping. Check that
household appliances are vented to the outside.
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Check that your child uses
his or her asthma medicines as directed.