How does air quality affect the airways?

Air quality plays a significant role in respiratory health, so it is crucial to understand the quality of air in your city daily. Poor air quality can be threatening to those with or without preexisting conditions. A Baylor College of Medicine allergist and pulmonologist discusses the effects of air quality issues on the airways.

“Weather channels will give you a number, usually referring to the PM2.5, which is a direct measurement of the amount of particulate matter in the air,” said Dr. David Corry, professor of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Baylor. “The number represents fine particulates that are especially hazardous.”

PM2.5 particulates are mostly made up of carbon in the form of graphite, which makes smoke black. When incompletely burned carbon gets in the air, it is toxic if it gets in the lungs. It accumulates slowly in the body and can cause tremendous damage.

If the PM2.5 is in the moderate range (around 13-35) or higher, those with preexisting lung or cardiovascular conditions might have more difficulty breathing. At-risk groups include those with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with or without emphysema, asthma and cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disease. Exposure to moderate or high levels of PM2.5 can lead to moderate or worse impairment of lung function, so Corry recommends staying inside and avoiding outdoor exercise. If you must be outside for an extended period in these conditions, wear a high-quality mask like an N95 that is efficient enough to limit your inhalation of that PM2.5.

“Moderate levels of PM2.5 should not be a problem for those without preexisting conditions, unless doing vigorous exercise outdoors,” Corry said. “If you’re normally used to running on an outdoor track surrounded by cars, you might not make your regular time or may experience cough or chest discomfort, so be careful exercising outside under those conditions.”

Long-term exposure to poor air quality also is concerning for those without preexisting conditions. It can induce chronic lung disease, cardiopulmonary disease and even possibly shorten the lifespan. The closer you live to highways, the more likely you are to experience that PM2.5 elevation on a chronic basis. People who live near highways tend to have more pulmonary disease, more asthma and more respiratory complaints.

Signs that you might be developing airway issues include:

• Persistent cough.
• Nasal congestion.
• General irritation of both the upper and lower respiratory tract.
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath (especially if you’re an active person used to exercise, and it takes longer to complete your routine).
• Your usual, daily activities are becoming harder to accomplish (such as walking up the stairs).

If you experience these symptoms, visit a specialist. Those who are very sensitive might consider relocating cities.

“If it’s more of an allergic character like asthma, then you might see an allergist. For chronic shortness of breath or cough, go to a pulmonologist. If your symptoms are mild, your general internist can help or guide you to the right specialist that can offer diagnostic testing and provide treatment for symptomatic relief, like an inhaler,” Corry said.

In addition to staying indoors on days where the PM2.5 is of moderate degree or higher, you should be aware of the PM2.5 indoors. Corry suggests getting a PM2.5 measuring device for the home, as well as a HEPA filter for your home or office to clean the air and remove the hazardous particulates, aiming for home PM2.5 levels below 13.

“Try to do things to avoid adding PM2.5 to your home environment, such as cooking on the stovetop and oven without a high-efficiency ventilator hood, which can radically raise your PM2.5. It can stay elevated for hours, especially if you don’t have a vent. Make sure you have a good vent system for your stove to remove the low-quality air generated during cooking,” Corry said.

Use a trusted weather source to check the PM2.5 levels daily to avoid your chance of harmful exposure outdoors and indoors.

By Homa Warren