American Lung Association Initiative for Healthy Air

Healthy Air is an initiative run by the American Lung Association (ALA) that aims to education people on how to improve the air they breathe, avoid pollution and help influence public policy to improve the air quality.

MORE: Four ways the American Lung Association helps patients manage their lung disease.

The ALA lists some of the major risks of air pollution, sharing that people with chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary hypertension are more at risk of problems when breathing polluted air. In addition, children and teenagers are also at risk of lung damage as their lungs have not fully matured and are more susceptible to damage, as well as older people whose lungs may have weakened over time.

Some of the common air pollutants people breathe in regularly are ozone (also known as smog), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter.

As well as avoiding outdoor air pollutants, we should also avoid pollutants inside our homes, schools, and workplaces. The Healthy Air initiative gives tips on how to improve indoor air quality and avoid indoor pollutants.

MORE: Six common pulmonary fibrosis causes and risk factors.

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