Air Quality Awareness Week

Since 2007, Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW) has been recognized in the United States. For 2022, AQAW takes place from May 2nd to the 6th and the theme for this year is Be Air Aware & Prepared! The week of recognition is supported by AirNow, the home of the U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), and partners such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NOAA National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of State.

The week-long campaign promotes events that increase air quality awareness and encourages people to check the Air Quality Index daily. Each year, specific daily topics are announced to help educate the public about how the air they breathe can impact their health and quality of life.

One of the topics that has been covered multiple times during Air Quality Awareness Week is wildfires and smoke. As reported by AirNow, smoke can come from many sources such as wildfires (nearby and far away), prescribed fires, and burning wood in fireplaces or stoves inside a home. The primary pollutant of concern in smoke is particle pollution, often referred to as particulate matter or PM. The health effects from exposure to the particles in smoke can range from relatively minor (eye and respiratory tract irritation) to serious (exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death). In many areas of the United States, the increase in smoke exposure from wildfire incidents during summer months poses a great health risk to many people.

Another topic that has been frequently covered during Air Quality Awareness Week is asthma. AirNow describes asthma as a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease in which the air passages in a person’s lungs become swollen or inflamed. Asthma affects more than 24 million Americans, including millions of children. While all the causes are not known, genetic, environmental and occupational factors can all contribute to the development of asthma. Air pollution, especially ozone and particle pollution, can trigger asthma and worsen attacks. Outdoor air pollution can also increase sensitivity to other indoor pollutants and asthma triggers, like pet dander, mold and dust mites.

These are just a few of the many things to know about Air Quality Awareness Week. To learn more about this or other outdoor or indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.