You've probably heard the term smog but might not understand how much weight this word carries. A form of air pollution that becomes more hazardous with heat (summer is right around the corner), it's never too late to learn about the dangers of smog and how you can protect yourself and the environment this summer.
Smog and Its Implications
Smog refers to a mix of emissions that overwhelm the air and become harmful if breathed. A combination of industrial pollutants, incinerators and vehicle pollutants, the EPA consistently warns the public of the negative effects of smog exposure. The symptoms of smog exposure include:
- Throat and chest irritation – Respiratory distress is one of the most common signs of exposure to environmental pollutants.
- Increased asthma symptoms – Asthma sufferers have an uphill battle on good days. When smog exposure gets added to the mix, asthma attacks can become more intense and frequent.
- Breathing difficulty – Since polluted air impedes lung function, smog exposure can make breathing more difficult, especially during exercise.
The risk of over-exposure is highest for anyone living in suburban areas and the danger increases during summer months. Known as photochemical smog, summer smog exists when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides combine with sunlight.
How to Protect Yourself This Summer
Unless you have respiratory problems, you only need to take extra care when ozone exposure reaches the upper limits. Local weather authorities will alert you to days when ozone levels are highest, so the first step to staying healthy is staying informed. The EPA has an index known as Air Quality Index (AQI) that assigns colors to each ozone level, making it easy to understand air quality. Ranked from zero to 300, the AQI becomes unhealthy if levels reach 150 or above (anything over 200 is considered extremely hazardous). These notations correspond to red and purple, so make a note of when to follow certain procedures.
The main way to keep your respiratory system healthy during ozone alerts is to limit outdoor activities. If you can't avoid going outside, at least keep rigorous activity to a minimum (vigorous exercise demands greater lung efficiency).
To help keep smog under wraps, stay on top of smog checks and carpool whenever possible. Better yet, enjoy the sunshine with a bike ride or walk when weather allows.
To make sure your San Jose car stays healthy and the earth happy, call Dhillon Motorsports, formerly known as Smog Man San Jose today > and schedule an appointment with our team of experts.
Call Dhillon Motorsports, formerly known as Smog Man San Jose for an appointment today!