Air Quality Awareness Week runs from April 27 to May first this year.
Groups like the CDC and the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, are stressing that
poor air quality should be everyone's concern.
I'm Miranda Savioli with your latest health news.
Two air quality factors that can affect health are particle pollution- tiny pieces of matter
like dust, smoke, soot and liquid that are in the air- and ground-level ozone, also called
smog.
Particle pollution is a risk factor for those with heart disease, while ozone can cause
breathing problems, even among those without lung conditions.
Developing kids and teens may be more susceptible to pollution, but older adults may also face
an increased risk of harm.
The EPA's Air Quality Index provides warnings when pollution levels are likely harmful,
and the CDC and EPA stress that by using this index and planning accordingly, excessive
exposure to air pollution can be avoided.