Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Unhealthy

  • Air Alert extended into Thursday

    Air Alert extended into Thursday

    Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio on Wednesday afternoon (Photo by David Miller)

    Loveland, Ohio – The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency is extending the Air Quality Alert into Thursday, June 29 through 11:59 PM for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.

    The Agency expects to see levels of both ozone and PM2.5 (due to Canada wildfires) in the “Unhealthy” range on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Because there are two air pollutants with high concentrations, the general public is encouraged to limit their outdoor exertion, especially children, those with respiratory illnesses, and older adults. Refer to U.S. EPA’s health guide here.

    Everyone can reduce PM2.5 by following these guidelines:

    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
    • Suspend use of fire pits, campfires, and charcoal grills on Air Quality Alert days.
    The intersection of Rich and Fallis Roads on Wednesday afternoon from Loveland High School. (Photo by David Miller)

    Everyone can help reduce ozone formation by taking the following actions: 

    • Telecommute.
    • Do not idle your vehicle; exhaust contributes considerably to ozone formation.
    • Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips.
  • Children face special risks from today’s air pollution

    Children face special risks from today’s air pollution

    The Air Quality Index for Loveland, Ohio was in the “Unhealthy” range at 8 AM this morning and approaching the “Very Unhealthy category.

    Do I need to be concerned?

    It’s always smart to pay attention to your air quality, but it’s especially true for people who may be at greater risk. They include:

    • People with heart disease.

    • People with lung disease, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

    • Older adults.

    • Children and teenagers because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.

    • Pregnant people.

    • Minority populations.

    • Outdoor workers

    Track real-time air quality measurements for Loveland, Ohio

    Loveland, Ohio – Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air according to the American Lung Association.

    “Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution. Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.”

    Continuing reading from the American Lung Association…

    Air Pollution Affects Children Before They Are Born

    Several studies have found air pollution linked to harm to children while they are still in the womb. A large study in California found that higher particle pollution levels increased the risk of preterm birth. Pregnant women exposed to even low levels of particle pollution had higher risk for preterm birth in a Boston study. Preterm births occurred more frequently when particle pollution spiked, as an Australian study found, even when they controlled for other risk factors.

    Air Pollution Limits Lung Growth in Children

    The Southern California Children’s Health study looked at the long-term effects of air pollution on children and teenagers. Tracking 1,759 children who were between ages 10 and 18 from 1993 to 2001, researchers found that those who grew up in more polluted areas face the increased risk of having reduced lung growth, which may never recover to their full capacity. The average drop in lung function was similar to the impact of growing up in a home with parents who smoked.

    Community health studies are pointing to less obvious, but serious effects from year-round exposure to ozone, especially for children. Scientists followed 500 Yale University students and determined that living just four years in a region with high levels of ozone and related co-pollutants was associated with diminished lung function and frequent reports of respiratory symptoms. Another earlier report from the Children’s Health study of 3,300 schoolchildren in Southern California found reduced lung function in girls with asthma and boys who spent more time outdoors in areas with high levels of ozone.

  • Current Air Quality in Loveland

    Current Air Quality in Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – The current Air Quality Index is 154 and the primary pollutant is Ozone.

    This is unhealthy for People with lung disease, children and teens, older adults, and people who are routinely active outdoors for six or more hours a day –- take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

    • Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
    • Keep outdoor activities short.
    • Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

    Everyone else – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:

    • Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
    • Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
    • Be active outdoors when air quality is better.
  • Air Quality Alert extended into Sunday, August 9

    Air Quality Alert extended into Sunday, August 9

    Active children and adults, people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, and older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. 

    Air Quality Forecast is 105 AQI for Sunday, August 9

    The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency (Agency) has extended the Air Quality Alert for Sunday, August 9  for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn County in Indiana.The Agency expects to see levels of ozone in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range

    You can help protect those most vulnerable

    • Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving
    • Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap
    • Avoid idling your vehicle
    • Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
    • Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes
    • Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days
    • Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days
    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings
    • Always burn clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves
    • Do not use fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days
    • Conserve electricity

    You can check the current air quality by clicking on this image and entering a ZIP Code.

    If you find that having this type of local news adds value to your quality of life, kindly consider contributing to the cost of producing it.

  • Air Quality Alert extends into Sunday

    Air Quality Alert extends into Sunday

    The Ohio EPA is predicting that the ozone level will be 102 on Sunday.

    Predicted Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Loveland Area
    102
    		Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Saturday
     

    Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

     

    Steps you should take to protect you or your children’s health

    Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

    People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.


    Do Your Share!

    • Carpool, bike or walk instead of driving.
    • Use your most fuel efficient vehicle and drive gently.
    • Keep your motorcycle in the garage. They don’t have the pollution controls modern passenger vehicles do.
    • Refuel your vehicle after 8 PM; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
    • Avoid idling your vehicle. (Avoid drive-thru windows.)
    • Combine trips and eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
    • Do not use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment
    • Do not use of oil-based paints and stains
    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
    • Do not use fire pits.
    • Conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
    • Turn your air conditioner thermostat up and use room fans for cooling.
    • Save the power boating for another day.
    • Initiate an Air Pollution Alert Day policy where you work; whether that be a company you own, an employee, a local government agency you work for, or a school district.

    Sign up  for Enviroflash and Start Receiving Your Air Quality Forecast

    Children and Air Pollution

    Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air.

    Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution.

    Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.

    Read on at The American Lung Association…

    Take advantage of special savings on energy efficient lighting and other products offered by Duke Energy

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  • Air quality remains dirty for Saturday – Alert issued

    Air quality remains dirty for Saturday – Alert issued

    The Ohio EPA is predicting that the ozone level will be 120 on Friday.

    Predicted Air Quality Index (AQI) for the Loveland Area
    120
    		Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Saturday
     

    Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

     

    Steps you should take to protect you or your children’s health

    Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

    People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.


    Do Your Share!

    • Carpool, bike or walk instead of driving.
    • Use your most fuel efficient vehicle and drive gently.
    • Keep your motorcycle in the garage. They don’t have the pollution controls modern passenger vehicles do.
    • Refuel your vehicle after 8 PM; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
    • Avoid idling your vehicle. (Avoid drive-thru windows.)
    • Combine trips and eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
    • Do not use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment
    • Do not use of oil-based paints and stains
    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
    • Do not use fire pits.
    • Conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
    • Turn your air conditioner thermostat up and use room fans for cooling.
    • Save the power boating for another day.
    • Initiate an Air Pollution Alert Day policy where you work; whether that be a company you own, an employee, a local government agency you work for, or a school district.

    Sign up  for Enviroflash and Start Receiving Your Air Quality Forecast

    Children and Air Pollution

    Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air.

    Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution.

    Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.

    Read on at The American Lung Association…

    Take advantage of special savings on energy efficient lighting and other products offered by Duke Energy

    LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs

    LEDs last at least 15 times longer than traditional bulbs