Air pollution contributes to many lung diseases, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and lung cancer Lung disease claims close to 335,000 lives in America every year and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over the last decade, the death rate for lung disease has risen faster than for almost any other major disease.
American Lung Association Asks "Is the Air You Breathe Healthy?"
New State of the Air report grades Florida's air and reveals much to be done for residents to inhald safely
Click here to view Florida counties' grades in the State of the Air: 2007 report
Click here to access the full report
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Indoor Air Quality
On average we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors. Just as uncontrolled industrial processes can foul the air outside, many sources can contribute to air pollution in our homes and offices. Some of the most toxic include tobacco smoke, asbestos, radon and pesticides. However, some indoor sources of air pollutants are not seen as dangerous. For instance, cooking food, as well as heating and cooling our homes, can add to indoor pollution. Many contaminating substances found in air pollution give no warning and produce vague symptoms that are hard to pin down to a specific cause. Many produce symptoms years later when it's even more difficult to discover the source.
The people who are most susceptible to indoor air pollution are children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with lung disease.
Facts About Indoor Air Quality
Improving Indoor Air Quality
IAQ Tools For Schools
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS), a Best Practice in Environmental Health, is an education program designed to identify, prevent and improve indoor air quality problems in schools. The program is based on materials developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December, 1995. The American Lung Association actively participated in IAQ TfS development and continues to be one of the lead agencies in the promotion of the program.
In addition to IAQ Tools for Schools, the American Lung Association offers Open Airways for Schools, which teaches children to take control of their asthma. They learn how to identify their personal asthma triggers and minimize their exposure to them. Together, these two programs are "asthma-proofing" schools throughout the country.
For more information about IAQ Tools for Schools or Open Airways for Schools, call 1-800-LUNG-USA.
Health House Program
Originally created by the American Lung Association of Minnesota, the Health House program is a national American Lung Association effort to address the growing national concern about the quality of air in our homes. The number of homeowners and homebuilders interested in healthier, more energy-efficient homes continues to grow every year, as indicated by the thousands of telephone calls, e-mails and Website visits Health House receives annually.
The Health House program provides information to make your new or existing home healthier and more energy-efficient environment. Free information is provided on our Web site, at consumer workshops, and at demonstration site tours.
Questions about the Health House program? E-mail info@healthhouse.org or call their toll-free information line: (800) 548-8252.
Related Internet Resources:
These sites are not part of The American Lung Association Web site, and we have no control over their content or availability.
Indoor Air Mold/Moisture: US Environmental Protection Agency
The Green Squad: www.nrdc.org/greensquad/
An interactive Web site that will help students recognize common environmental problems where they study and play
Outdoor Air Quality
The American Lung Association actively works to strengthen pollution controls and has become the leading public health advocate for clean air, as well as the chief source of information and public education on the health hazards of air pollution. Two types of air pollution that are specifically harmful to lung health are particle pollution and ozone.
Particle pollution is a combination of fine solid particles and aerosols that are suspended in the air we breathe. Particle pollution has been shown to induce heart attacks and strokes, cause lung cancer, trigger asthma attacks and increase the need for medical care and hospital visits.
Ozone is an extremely reactive gas that irritates the respiratory system and can kill people with severe respiratory problems such as emphysema (also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and asthma. Ozone causes shortness of breath and coughing, triggers asthma attacks and increases the need for emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
The risks from airborne pollution are great for those with lung disease, and the American Lung Association seeks to inform people who may be in danger. People may be at greater risk because of their age, a chronic lung disease like asthma, a cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Clean Air Standards Website
This American Lung Association ® website provides timely information to public health and environmental advocates about the EPA review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone and particulate matter.
Clean Air Standards is the “one-stop” source for advocates working to reaffirm and strengthen the health-based air quality standards.
Facts About Outdoor Air Quality
Improving Outdoor Air Quality
During recent years, air pollution levels improved in many parts of the nation, but millions of Americans still live in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution. The American Lung Association State of the Air 2007 report presents information on air pollution on a state-by-state, county-by-county basis, using the most up-to-date quality-assured data available for nationwide comparisons. To check out how clean Florida and your county’s air is, click here.
Related Air Quality Resources:
These sites are not part of The American Lung Association Web site, and we have no control over their content or availability.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - AirData
Florida Department of Environmental Regulation – Air Division
Centers for Disease Control – Air Pollution and Respiratory Health
Click here for a copy of the American Lung Association's Natural Disaster Preparedness Brochure
Florida Department of Emergency Management: Floridadisaster.org
Florida County Emergency Management Websites - click here
Florida Emergency Information Hotline: 1-800-342-3557
Public Shelters:
Public shelters, usually local schools, will be opened and announced as needed. Monitor local TV and radio stations for evacuation orders and information about shelters.
Before you leave home, be sure to:
- Eat. Meals may not be available during the first 24 hours.
- Be sure to fill prescriptions and take with you.
- Unplug appliances and turn off electricity and the main water valve. Also, turn off any gas appliances in your home at their individual shut-off valves.
- Take important documents with you.
- Bring ID. You may need to show proof of residence to return home.
- Make arrangement for your pets. Most shelters do not allow pets. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.
Special Needs Shelters:
To locate a special needs shelter in your area, click on one of the following:
- NORTH AREA (Jacksonville area)
- NORTH AREA - Big Bend (Tallahassee area)
- NORTH AREA - North West (Pensacola area)
- NORTH AREA - Daytona Beach
- CENTRAL AREA (Orlando area)
- GULFCOAST AREA (Tampa/St. Petersburg area)
- SOUTH AREA (Ft. Lauderdale area)
- SOUTHEAST AREA (West Palm Beach area)
Disaster Relief :
- American Red Cross (866) 438-4636
- United Way (800) 435-7352
- Salvation Army (800) 725-2769
- Catholic Charities (800) 919-9338
- United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583
- State of Florida Elder Services (800) 963-5337
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
TIP SHEET: FEMA has a checklist of what you should do in advance of a hurricane, during hurricane watches and warnings, and after the hurricane has passed. Click here to download the checklist
For more information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, visit FEMA's website www.fema.gov
Wildfires and Respiratory Health in Florida:
Has your area been affected by wildfires? Click here for answers to important questions about wildfires and your lungs.
Particle pollution is the greatest concern with wildfires. Click here to learn more about particle pollution.
Visit the EPA Web site to discover the current particle pollution level for your area.
Special Smoke Advisory for People with Chronic Lung Condition