ASTHMA FACT SHEET:
OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION

What is air pollution?
Harmful gases and small particles in the air, called air pollution, damage the environment and affect human health. Air pollution comes mainly from the following sources:

  • Industries and vehicles burning fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas.
  • Smoke from backyard trash burning.
  • Dust clouds from farming and construction activities

When some pollutants mix together in the air, other pollutants are formed like ground-level ozone. Higher levels of air pollution occur in major cities. However, rural farming communities can have high levels of dust or pesticides contributing to air pollution. .

Outdoor air pollution can worsen asthma by putting an extra burden on the lungs. Ozone and fine particles have shown to do the most damage to the lungs. Fine particles, also known as particulate matter or PM 2.5, are solid particles too small to see without a microscope. They can easily travel through the airways to reach the lower parts of the lungs. This can lead to asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Active adults and children with asthma are at the highest risk from air pollution. Long-term exposure to ground-level ozone, also known as smog, and fine particles causes permanent damage to the lungs. To make matters worse, pollen can attach to fine particles doubling the affect for people allergic to pollen.

How can exposure to air pollution be controlled?

  • Do not burn trash. Report illegal trash burning to the local authorities.
  • Do not burn yard waste. Try composting yard waste, which makes a natural fertilizer for gardening.
  • For more information on illegal open burning visit Stop Burning Trash.org
  • Limit outdoor activities on Ozone Action Days. Ozone Action Days usually occur on hot, sunny summer days with little to no wind. Check the Indiana Department of Environment Management’s Smog Watch website for daily ozone levels or call 800-631-2871 or 317-233-2318.
  • If a home or other building is located near a high traffic area, windows should be closed on Ozone Action Days. Use air conditioners to filter air when possible.
  • Schools and child care settings should adopt a vehicle no-idling policy for drop-off and pick-up. No idling signs should be posted in these areas.
  • To learn more about how you can help reduce air pollution go to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Smog Watch.