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The air we breathe has an impact on lung health
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The quality of the air we breathe, both indoors and out, has a great impact on lung health. Fragile lung tissue is easily damaged by pollutants in the air, resulting in increased risk of asthma and allergies, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Although the US has made great strides in cleaning up smog and soot in the nation's cities, outdoor air pollution still threatens the health of millions of Americans. In the last decade, indoor air quality has also been recognized as significant concern. Levels of many common pollutants have been shown to be 2 to 5 times higher, and occasionally more than 100 times higher than they are outdoors.
Ozone: The Facts
The Problem:
Ozone, composed of three oxygen atoms, is a very beneficial compound when created naturally to form the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. However, our own daily activities create ozone at ground-level, where it can be harmful to our health and our environment. We create ozone when emissions from our automobiles, smaller engines such as lawnmowers, and industry combine with the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
The Effects:
In low concentrations, ozone does not pose many health problems. When summer arrives, however, the amount of ozone we create skyrockets. While the most vulnerable people are children, older adults, and those with respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema, ozone can also create problems for healthy people. Often this is seen when people exercise outdoors on high-ozone days. Ozone can irritate your entire respiratory system: nasal passages, throat, respiratory tract, and lungs. Moreover, it has the ability to damage lung tissue cells permanently.
Ozone affects our surroundings, as well. It can cause fabrics, as well as the paint on our homes and automobiles to fade, and can make rubber crack. Ozone even harms certain plant species, such as corn.
The Solution:
Since we are the ones adding to the ozone problem, it is important to take action on days with high ozone levels. In order to facilitate ozone reduction, Indianapolis has created the Knozone program. Knozone turns high-ozone days into Knozone Action Days. Everyone is encouraged to drive less by walking, biking, carpooling, or riding the bus half-price. In addition, cars should be refueled and lawns should be mowed after 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Knozone website at www.knozone.com. Our voluntary reductions can make a difference.
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