LA has terrible air quality. How to minimize your exposure

Los Angeles has the worst ozone pollution in the country, according to an annual report by the American Lung Association.

The area also received poor ratings for high particulate matter.

the “state of the air The report found that nationally, nearly 4 in 10 people live in an area that received a negative rating for at least one measure of air pollution, but cities in the western United States dominated the list

California had the most metropolitan areas on the list, with 10 of the nation’s 25 most polluted cities, according to the report. After the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the most ozone-polluted cities include Visalia, Bakersfield and the Fresno area, followed by Phoenix, Arizona.

What is ozone?

Ozone is a gas found in the Earth’s atmosphere. High above us in the stratosphere, the ozone layer is beneficial, absorbing some of the sun’s harmful UV radiation and preventing it from reaching the Earth’s surface.

But ozone pollution, which occurs when emissions react under heat and sunlight, is harmful to our health. It produces ground-level ozone, also known as smog, which can damage the airways and lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness and worsening asthma.

What causes ozone pollution?

Ozone forms near the ground when pollutants and some naturally occurring compounds react with sunlight, heat and smoke from wildfires.

Air pollution emitted by transport including diesel trucks, trains, planes and cars, refineries and power plants were the main causes of ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association.

Hazardous airborne particles from past wildfires are small enough to enter the bloodstream and cause a range of health problems, including asthma attacks and lung cancer.

Minimize exposure to ozone

Ozone levels vary from day to day. An easy way to check current conditions is to use the Air quality index of the Environmental Protection Agency. The tool provides an immediate indication of color-coded air quality and can also be used to prevent fine particle pollution.

There is also an app. The free AirVisual application displays real-time data from sensors located around the world and provides air quality alerts, forecasts and health recommendations by location. The Los Angeles Region and the LA Unified School District (more about their air sensors below) are part of the network.

What should I do when the air quality is bad?

When ground-level ozone levels are high, take steps to limit the amount of air you breathe while outside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:

• Spend more time indoors, where ozone levels tend to be lower.
• Plan outdoor activities at times when ozone levels are lowest (usually in the morning and evening).
• Choose easier outdoor activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.

How to find information about air quality at your child’s school

All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District have an air quality network sensor within 1.6 miles. Even if your child does not attend a school in the district, you can use it the interactive tool to determine air quality by checking data from sensors closest to your child’s daycare or school or download it for free AirVisual applicationwhich also shows all LAUSD sensors.

The devices measure the concentration of fine particles in the air. They do not measure greenhouse gases, such as toxic air pollutants carbon dioxide, or nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide, according to the district’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

School principals can restrict outdoor activities if air quality is poor, but only the superintendent has the authority to close a school, according to the district.