This week the U.S.'s Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges Air Quality Awareness Week! Tracking air quality is essential for the health of you and your pet.
Air quality changes daily and is influenced by what is going on in the environment around you. The EPA developed the Air Quality Index to measure the level of pollutants in the air and communicate it to the public. The AQI ranges from 0-500 with anything around 100 and below acceptable for the general public. The 5 major pollutants measured for the AQI are ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Some of the most common contributors to poor air quality include pollution from cars and smoke from wildfires. When these pollutants get into the air at high levels, they can irritate our airways and make it more difficult to breathe. On a typical day, the air quality is usually fine. However, if you live near a large city or know that there is something burning or being given off into the environment nearby, it's a good idea to check the air quality before opening your windows while you and your cat are sitting nearby or going out for a walk with your dog.
Did you know you can check it easily in most weather apps? This is what my Apple Weather app looks like today. I've got my window open for some fresh air!
If you'd like to share some resources with your friends or hang up some information at your clinics and offices, check out the EPA's website for more information: Air Quality Awareness Week | US EPA
References:
Air Quality Awareness Week | US EPA
Using Air Quality Index | AirNow.gov
How Air Quality Affects Pets: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know
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Kaitlyn Andres, MS, MPH
Research Associate
Program for Pet Health Equity
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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