Air Quality Health Guide
Essential health information for sensitive groups affected by air pollution. Learn how air quality impacts your health, who is most at risk, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Who Are Sensitive Groups?
Certain people are more vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution. If you fall into one of these groups, you should pay close attention to air quality and take action when AQI levels rise.
Children and Teens
Young lungs are still developing and children breathe more air relative to body weight. They're more active outdoors and have higher exposure to air pollution.
Adults 65+
Older adults may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease. Age-related changes make them more susceptible to pollution's cardiovascular and respiratory effects.
People with Asthma
Air pollution triggers asthma symptoms. People with asthma have inflamed airways that react strongly to pollutants, causing wheezing, coughing, and breathing difficulty.
People with COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease makes breathing difficult. Air pollution worsens COPD symptoms and can lead to hospitalizations and reduced lung function.
People with Heart Disease
Air pollution increases cardiovascular stress, raising risk of heart attacks, arrhythmias, and strokes. Fine particles enter the bloodstream affecting heart function.
Pregnant Women
Air pollution exposure during pregnancy can affect fetal development, birth weight, and increase risk of preterm birth. Both mother and baby need protection.
Health Effects by AQI Level
Understand what different AQI values mean for your health
Good
Safe for EveryoneAir quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
None
Moderate
AcceptableAir quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
CautionMembers of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy
CautionEveryone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Very Unhealthy
DangerousHealth warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
Hazardous
DangerousHealth alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion.
Warning Signs and Symptoms
If you experience any of these symptoms during poor air quality, go indoors and seek medical attention if symptoms persist:
- Breathing DifficultyShortness of breath, rapid breathing, or chest tightness
- Persistent CoughCoughing that won't stop or gets worse outdoors
- WheezingWhistling sound when breathing, especially for people with asthma
- Unusual FatigueFeeling unusually tired or weak during normal activities
- Eye, Nose, Throat IrritationBurning, watery eyes, runny nose, or scratchy throat
- Chest Pain or PalpitationsChest discomfort or irregular heartbeat (seek immediate medical care)
Protection Strategies
Take these steps to reduce exposure and protect your health during poor air quality:
- Check AQI DailyMonitor air quality before planning outdoor activities
- Limit Outdoor ExerciseExercise indoors when AQI is elevated, especially for sensitive groups
- Keep Windows ClosedUse air conditioning to circulate indoor air instead of outdoor air
- Use Air PurifiersHEPA filters can remove fine particles from indoor air
- Wear N95 MasksProperly fitted N95 or KN95 masks filter fine particles when outdoors
- Have Medications ReadyKeep rescue inhalers and prescribed medications easily accessible
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these emergency symptoms:
- •Severe difficulty breathing or cannot catch your breath
- •Chest pain or pressure that doesn't go away
- •Lips or face turning blue
- •Confusion or unusual drowsiness
- •Severe or worsening asthma attack not responding to medication
- •Rapid or irregular heartbeat with dizziness
In the US, call 911 for emergencies. For non-emergency health concerns, contact your healthcare provider.
Related Resources
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with questions about your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you read here. Air quality data is provided by the EPA AirNow network and updated regularly.