Breathing fresh air is mandatory for people to survive. Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to describe the level of air pollution and is expressed as a number between one and 500. The pollution is greater if the number is higher. Any number higher than 100 indicates you should stay indoors if you have a medical condition or are elderly, while anything above 300 comes to show that the air quality is poor for the majority of people! Short-term effects of bad air quality may include congestion, headaches, or fatigue – symptoms similar to that of a cold, flu, or allergy. If the pollution is neglected, it could cause long-term effects that may only be discovered when it is too late. If you are keen to retire in Lewisville, TX, you ought to be aware of the city’s air quality and understand it well. Let’s delve into the air quality in Lewisville, TX.
Current Pollutants in Air Quality of Lewisville
- PM10: Excellent
With a diameter of less than 10 micrometers, Particulate Matter is a breathable pollutant. Particles that are bigger than 2.5 micrometers can infect the airways, causing health issues. Other outcomes include throat and eye irritation, difficulty breathing or coughing, and worsened asthma. Excessive exposure leads to more severe health effects.
- PM2.5: Excellent
Fine Particulate Matter is also a breathable pollutant with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers that can enter the bloodstream and lungs. This pollutant affects the lungs and heart heaviest, causing difficulty breathing or coughing, worsened asthma, and possibly chronic respiratory disease.
- O 3: Fair
Ground-level Ozone can accelerate existing respiratory diseases and also cause headaches, throat irritation, and chest pain.
- CO: Excellent
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas. When people inhale them at high levels, symptoms include nausea, headache, vomiting, and dizziness. Perpetual long-term exposure can cause heart disease.
- SO2: Excellent
Sulfur Dioxide can cause eye and throat irritation and worsen asthma, in addition to chronic bronchitis.
- NO2.5: Excellent
Inhaling high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide raises the possibility of respiratory issues. Difficulty breathing and coughing are frequent and respiratory infections can happen with prolonged exposure.
Air Quality Scale
- Excellent (0 – 19)
Ideal air quality for most people; you can take part in your normal outdoor activities.
- Fair (20 – 49)
Air quality is acceptable for most individuals. Sensitive groups, however, may experience slight to moderate symptoms when exposed long-term.
- Poor (50 – 99)
Air is hit with a high level of pollution and could affect sensitive groups. If you are feeling symptoms such as throat irritation or difficulty breathing, spend less time outside.
- Unhealthy (100 – 149)
Impact can be instantaneously felt by sensitive individuals. Outdoor activities to be limited. Healthy individuals may find difficulty in breathing and have throat irritation with long-term exposure.
- Very Unhealthy (150 – 249)
The impact can be instantaneously felt by sensitive individuals who should refrain from performing any outdoor activity. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities and staying indoors; healthy individuals may find it hard to breathe normally and have a throat irritation.
Dangerous (250+)
Avoid outdoor activities. Exposure to the air, even for a couple of minutes, can cause serious health issues to everybody.