Air pollution can make breathing difficult for everyone, especially children, the elderly, and people with chronic illness. Children who suffer long-term ozone exposure may develop permanent lung damage and pollutants can also easily aggravate existing medical conditions among people of all ages. That’s why people at-risk, as well as those responsible for their care, need to be aware of air quality conditions.
Although the region’s air quality has improved dramatically over the last twenty years, we still experience several days each year when air quality is poor. On these Air Quality Action Days, we are all urged to take actions to protect our health and reduce pollution-causing activities.
The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Clean Air Partners organization have devised a color-coded forecast and action guide for air quality awareness:
- Code Green (Good) Enjoy outdoor activities!
- Code Yellow (Moderate) Limit driving!
- Code Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) Kids and adults with chronic illness should limit outdoor activities and ride transit!
- Code Red (Unhealthy) Everyone limit outdoor activities and drive less!
- Code Purple (Very unhealthy) Everyone avoid outdoor physical activities!
These actions are simple and usually require little sacrifice, but they can have a big impact on the air we all breathe.
Begin each day by knowing the Air Quality Forecast. Check the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Web site, www.mde.state.md.us, or visit www.cleanairpartners.net for the latest air quality conditions.
For more information:
Russ Ulrich, rulrich@baltometro.org or 410-732-9575.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 )
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