Thank you @Kaitlyn Andres.
Thank you for highlighting Air Quality Awareness Week and the importance of monitoring air quality for both people and pets. This is such an important One Health topic because humans and animals share the same environment and are often exposed to the same pollutants at the same time.
According to the EPA, poor air quality can negatively affect not only human health, but also pets, wildlife, and ecosystems. Smoke, ozone, and particulate pollution can contribute to respiratory irritation, breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and worsening heart or lung disease in both people and animals. Pets may be especially vulnerable because they often spend more time outdoors and closer to ground-level pollutants.
Checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) before outdoor activities, walks, or opening windows is a simple but powerful way to help protect the entire family - including our pets. This is especially important for children, older adults, brachycephalic breeds, and animals with respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Healthy environments support healthier people and healthier pets together. 🧡🐾
Additional science-based resources:
Human Health & Public Health Resources
- U.S. EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics
Clear public guidance on AQI categories, health risks, and protective actions.
- AirNow.gov
Real-time AQI tracking, wildfire smoke maps, and health recommendations for sensitive groups.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Wildfire Smoke and Health
Covers respiratory impacts, vulnerable populations, and smoke exposure prevention.
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Air Pollution
Global scientific evidence connecting air pollution to chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness.
- American Lung Association – Air Quality and Health
Excellent educational materials on particulate matter, ozone exposure, asthma, and environmental health.
Veterinary & Animal Health Resources
One Health / Environmental Health Resources
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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2026 09:13 AM
From: Kaitlyn Davis
Subject: Air Quality Awareness Week
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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