OMA Smog-Wise Information for Seniors
The following recommendations are designed to inform seniors and help you manage your concerns about smog pollution’s health effects.
It
is important that you learn to become aware of smog, to understand when high
pollution levels are likely to occur and how smog can affect your health.
As
seniors, you are vulnerable to smog’s effect on both your respiratory and
cardiovascular systems. You are not more vulnerable simply because of your
age, but rather because as a senior you are more likely to have a pre-existing
health condition. If you have a history of heart or lung problems, you are
at greater risk than if you are in perfect health.
The
best advice for everyone is to take it easy on smoggy days, but because we
all have different degrees of reaction to the chemicals in smog, and feel
the effects at varying pollutant concentrations, some seniors need to take
more care than others do. You will need to be especially cautious if you suffer
from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchitis,
heart disease, hardening of the arteries, if you are a smoker, or are especially
active outdoors.
Exerting
yourself outside on high smog days increases your chances of experiencing
adverse effects. So reducing, or in some cases eliminating, exertion is key
to protecting yourself on these days.
Exertion
causes you to breathe harder and faster, drawing more air into your lungs.
When smog levels are high, you can reduce the amount of pollution that you
breathe in by reducing your activity level.
Be
aware that activities like garden work or taking the dog for a long walk,
which are considered light activity to some people, may be heavy exertion
for others. You must know your limits and pay attention to how you are feeling.
You should also know that smog will also reduce your capacity, so a chore
that usually seems easy could prove more strenuous when pollution levels are
high.
Early
warning signs that the smog may be having an impact on you include mild breathing
difficulties, chest tightness, cough or throat irritation, eye irritation,
low energy, headache or feeling unusually tired. If you experience these symptoms,
reduce your activity level and exposure.
It
is also important to note that your smog reaction may sometimes lag a few
days after the highest pollution concentrations. Such delayed reactions are
quite common, but should not be ignored. If they persist, contact your physician.
You
may wish to reduce your outdoor activities when a smog alert has been issued,
but please note that smog alerts are not meant to be fully protective of those
who are most vulnerable. Air pollution’s negative effect can be felt at concentrations
well below smog warning levels, so if you believe that you are especially
at risk because of a pre-existing health condition, you should learn to recognize
when smog has an impact on you and take extra care.
Developing
smog awareness requires that you listen and watch for smog alerts that are
broadcast as part of the local news and weather reports, but also that you
pay attention to the weather forecast itself. Learn to recognize and pay extra
attention when it is going to be especially smoggy.
If
the forecast is for a hot or hazy day, it is likely that some people are going
to feel the effects of smog. If you can’t access a weather report, it’s easy
to get a good sense of the air quality
yourself. In general, the hotter it is - the worse the ozone smog is likely
to be; the hazier - the higher the smog particle concentrations. Both types
of smog can be dangerous to your health, so treat both heat and haze with
caution. Haze on rainy or damp days isn’t usually as bad because precipitation
washes some of the pollution out of the atmosphere.
If
you suffer from a respiratory or cardiac illness, it is essential that you
speak with your physician about how best to manage your condition.
When
smog levels are high it may be advisable to reschedule any strenuous activities.
If you are especially concerned, staying inside in a cool, clean, air-conditioned
environment may be an appropriate preventative measure. If it is not cool
at home, or you need to get out, the shopping mall, movie theatre or other
air-conditioned place will also provide relief. If it is not an especially
hazy day, but hot temperatures are expected in the afternoon, the early morning
is generally a safer time for errands and other outdoor activities.
If your condition worsens during a smog episode, or at any other time, consult your physician.
When
hot temperature and humidity advisories coincide with high smog levels, protect
yourself by staying in the shade as much as possible, keep cool and drink
lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
For
daily information regarding local air pollution and smog levels, Ontario's
Air Quality Index (AQI) readings are provided by the Ministry of the Environment
at www.airqualityontario.com. AQI values and forecasts are also
available from the ministry by calling (416) 246-0411 in Toronto, or toll-free
at 1-800-387-7768 (English) or 1-800-221-8852 (French).
For more information about the impact of smog visit www.oma.org/phealth/smogmain.htm .
Prepared by the OMA in July 2002.
May be copied and distributed.