Crawford County Public Health releases information on air quality awareness

AIR AWARE: PROTECT EVERY BREATH 

Did you know that as an adult, we breathe in about 3,000 gallons of air a day? Crazy, right? When  was the last time you stopped to think about the quality of that air you breathe? For most of us, “not  very often”. 

Crawford County, along with the Regional Southwest 7 Environmental Health Partnership want you  to be more air quality aware! 

Air quality is defined as how clean or polluted the air is and is measured using an Air Quality Index  (AQI). The higher the AQI, the more it can adversely affect our health. Poor air quality will contain  microscopic particles and toxic gases, things you won’t find in clean air. Air quality is impacted by  things like wildfires, car exhaust and factory emissions. 

When we think of air quality, we often picture outdoor air. However, the air inside our homes can  sometimes be even more polluted! Pet dander, dust, household chemicals, tobacco smoke, and mold  can all contribute to poor indoor air quality.  

Monitoring air quality is critical because breathing in polluted air can cause immediate respiratory  irritation. For people living with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions, poor outdoor and indoor  air quality can worsen symptoms and make breathing more difficult. 

The good news is there are simple ways to protect your lungs: 

• Check your local AQI before spending extended time outdoors. Airnow.gov is a one-stop  source for air quality data and a great place check your local AQI. 

• Improve indoor air quality by using air purifier, changing HVAC filters regularly, reducing  dust, and limiting the use of harsh chemical cleaners. 

• Keep your home smoke-free whenever possible. 

One more easy way to support your lung health is to DRINK MORE WATER! Staying hydrated helps  your body clear the pollutants you breathe in each day. While you don’t need to drink 3,000 gallons aim for ½ to ¾ of a gallon per day . 

Healthy lungs start with healthy air. Paying attention to the air you breathe is one small step that can  make a big difference for your health. 

For additional information on air quality and how to protect your lungs visit Wisconsin Department  of Health Services Outdoor Air Quality and Health.