According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, today is an Air Quality/Ozone Alert Day –
MedStar’s response volumes for respiratory conditions generally increase on Air Quality/Ozone Alert days, sometimes as high as 24% higher!
According to the American Lung Association, four groups of people are especially vulnerable to the effects of breathing ozone:
- Children and teens
- Anyone 65 and older
- People with existing lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis); and
- People who work or exercise outdoors.
During Air Quality/Ozone Alert Action Days, it’s a good idea to try and stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment, especially if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Don’t ignore warning signs, if you are outdoors and experience symptoms of difficulty breathing, go indoors in an air-conditioned environment. If the symptoms don’t subside, seek immediate medical attention.
