Clean air is essential for good health. While outdoor air quality in the United States has improved significantly since the 1990s, air pollution remains a concern for many communities. Knowing what pollutants are in the air—and how they can affect your health—helps you make smarter choices for you and your family.

The Six Major Air Pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closely monitors six key pollutants, known as "criteria air pollutants," because of their potential impact on health and the environment:

Carbon Monoxide – A colorless, odorless gas produced mainly by vehicle exhaust. High levels can reduce oxygen delivery to the body's organs.
Lead – A metal that can enter the air from industrial processes. Exposure can affect the nervous system, especially in children.
Nitrogen Oxides – Gases formed during combustion (like in cars and power plants). They contribute to smog and respiratory irritation.
Ozone (Ground-Level) – Not the protective ozone layer high in the sky, but a harmful pollutant formed when sunlight reacts with emissions. It's a main component of smog.
Particulate Matter – Tiny particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air, such as dust, soot, smoke, or liquid droplets.
Sulfur Dioxide – A gas produced by burning fossil fuels containing sulfur, like coal or oil. It can trigger breathing problems.

Other Air Pollutants to Know

Beyond the six major pollutants, several other substances can affect air quality and health:

Acrolein, asbestos, benzene, carbon disulfide
Creosote, fuel oils, kerosene
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Synthetic vitreous fibers, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs)

These pollutants often come from industrial processes, vehicle emissions, or burning materials. Long-term exposure may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Wildfire Smoke and Volcanic Air Pollution

Wildfire Smoke

When wildfires burn nearby, smoke can travel long distances and affect air quality in your community. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles and gases that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat—and worsen heart and lung conditions.

Protect yourself:
- Stay indoors when smoke is heavy; keep windows and doors closed.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters if available.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Wear a properly fitted N95 respirator if you must go outside.

Volcanic Air Pollution

Volcanic eruptions release ash and gases like sulfur dioxide into the air. These can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and skin discomfort.

Protect yourself:
- Follow local alerts and evacuation orders.
- Stay indoors during heavy ashfall; seal windows and doors.
- Wear goggles and a mask if you need to go outside.
- Avoid driving in heavy ash, which can damage vehicles and reduce visibility.

Focus on Two Key Pollutants: Ozone and Particulate Matter

Ground-Level Ozone: What It Is and How It Affects You

Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from vehicles, factories, and other sources react in sunlight. It's most common on hot, sunny days and in urban areas.

Health effects may include:
- Coughing or pain when taking a deep breath
- Throat and lung irritation
- Wheezing or shortness of breath during outdoor activity
- Worsened symptoms for people with asthma, COPD, or other lung conditions

Who's most at risk:
- People with asthma or other respiratory diseases
- Older adults
- Children and infants
- Anyone who spends significant time exercising or working outdoors

On high-ozone days:
- Limit time outdoors, especially during afternoon hours when ozone peaks.
- Choose lighter activities like walking instead of running.
- Schedule outdoor plans for early morning or evening, when ozone levels are typically lower.
- Keep rescue inhalers or medications handy if you have a lung condition.

Particulate Matter: Tiny Particles, Big Impact

Particulate matter (PM) refers to microscopic solid or liquid particles floating in the air. Scientists categorize them by size:

PM10: Larger particles (like dust or pollen) that can irritate eyes, nose, and throat. Common sources include construction sites, farms, and unpaved roads.
PM2.5: Fine particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs—and even enter the bloodstream. These come from vehicle exhaust, wildfires, power plants, and industrial emissions.

Health effects may include:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- Increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, and lung disease
- Complications during pregnancy, including low birth weight
- Higher risk of lung cancer with long-term exposure

Who's most at risk:
- People with heart or lung disease
- Older adults
- Infants and children
- People with diabetes
- Those who are physically active outdoors

On high-particulate days:
- Stay indoors with windows closed; use air conditioning if possible.
- Avoid high-traffic areas where vehicle emissions concentrate PM.
- Reduce intense outdoor exercise; opt for indoor workouts instead.
- If you have asthma, follow your action plan and keep medications accessible.

A Note on Saharan Dust

One natural source of particulate matter is Saharan dust—fine particles lifted from the Sahara Desert by strong winds and carried across the Atlantic Ocean. This dust typically affects Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and southern U.S. states like Florida and Texas from late June through mid-August.

While generally less harmful than pollution from human sources, Saharan dust can still irritate the respiratory system, especially for people with asthma or allergies. On dusty days, consider limiting prolonged outdoor exposure and keeping windows closed.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Health on Poor Air Quality Days

You don't need to be an expert to take action. Here are practical ways to reduce your exposure:

Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily through weather apps or AirNow.gov.
Stay indoors when air quality is unhealthy, especially if you're in a high-risk group.
Keep indoor air clean by using air purifiers, avoiding candles or wood stoves, and limiting activities that create indoor pollution.
Plan ahead: Schedule outdoor activities for times when air quality is better—usually mornings or after rain.
Listen to your body: If you feel symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, or unusual fatigue, move indoors and rest.

Our Commitment to Clear Health Information

At Crestwood General, we believe everyone deserves easy-to-understand guidance on protecting their health. By sharing reliable, science-based information about air quality, we hope to empower you to breathe easier—no matter where life takes you.

Content provided by Crestwood General. For educational purposes only.