Did you know more than 137 million Americans live in communities with unhealthy levels of air pollution? Clean air is critical to protecting lung health. While air pollution is bad for anyone to breathe, it is especially dangerous for people living with asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions.
Breathing polluted air can irritate your lungs and may cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, asthma flare-ups, and chest pain. It also puts you at risk for lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and even death.
While we continue to make progress, air pollution remains a serious environmental and health problem. Additionally, as global warming accelerates, climate change will impact public health and put people living with lung disease at additional risk.
By taking small steps together, we can protect our air and our health. Watch this message from Joel Africk, RHA’s President & Chief Executive Officer.
How to Protect Lung Health and Promote Clean Air
- Walk, bike, or use public transportation when possible.
- Try to reduce your waste and recycle.
- Try to avoid gasoline-powered lawn equipment like leaf blowers.
- Raise awareness by telling people about the importance of clean air. Sharing this message on social media is a great start!
- Advocate healthy lungs and clean air for all with us!