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Health Effects
People often live in areas where air pollution can affect their daily life or cause serious health problems.
Like the weather, local air quality can change from day to day. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six common air pollutants. They are particle pollution
(often referred to as particulate matter), ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and lead.
These pollutants can harm your health and the environment, and cause property damage. EPA calls these
pollutants "criteria" air pollutants because it regulates them by developing human health-based and/or
environmentally-based criteria (science-based guidelines) for setting permissible levels. Of the six pollutants,
ground-level ozone and particle pollution are the most widespread health threats.
Particulate Matter Health Effects and Advisory Guidelines
"Particulate matter," also known as particle pollution or PM, is a complex mixture of extremely
small particles and liquid droplets. Particle pollution is made up of a number of components,
including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles.
The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems.
Small particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest problems, because they can get deep
into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream.
Exposure to such particles can affect both your lungs and your heart. Particles of concern include "inhalable particles or PM10" (such as those found near roadways and dusty industries), which are 10 micrometers
in diameter and smaller; and "fine particles or PM2.5" (such as those found in smoke and haze), which
are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller.
Given possible health effects and a concern for the health and safety of the local public,
the Wyoming Department of Environment Quality (WDEQ) uses the EPA’s Air Quality Index guidance and advisory levels
to inform sensitive groups and the general public of potential health risks associated with exposures
to elevated levels of coarse particulate matter (PM10).
WDEQ PM10 Health Advisory Levels
| PM10Value |
Descriptor |
Group Notified |
0-54 µg/m3 |
Good |
None |
55-154 µg/m3 |
Moderate |
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged
or heavy exertion. |
155-254 µg/m3 |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
At or above 155 µg/m3 for 24 hours, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
| 255 µg/m3 or greater |
Unhealthy |
At or above 255 µg/m3 for 24 hours, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. |
*24 hour average
Ground-Level Ozone Health Effects and Advisory Guidelines
Ozone is an air pollutant produced from human-caused emissions that reacts in sunlight.
High concentrations of ozone can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract, particularly during heavy physical
activity. Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and
congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame
the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.
Given possible health effects and a concern for the health and safety of the local public,
the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) uses the EPA’s Air Quality Index guidance
and advisory levels to inform sensitive groups and the general public of potential health risks
associated with exposures to elevated levels of ozone.
Ozone Health Advisory Levels
| Ozone |
Descriptor |
Group Notified |
0-59 ppb |
Good |
None |
60-75 ppb |
Moderate |
Unusually sensitive people should concider limiting prolonged outdoor exhertion |
76-95 ppb |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
At or above 76 ppb for an 8-hour average, children, older adults, people with respiratory problems, and people who are active outdoors should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
| 96 ppb or greater |
Unhealthy for General Public |
At or above 96 ppb for an 8-hour average, children, older adults, people with respiratory problems, and people who are active outdoors should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. Everyone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
*8 hour average
Resources
“Guideline for Reporting AQI”, EPA Publication No. EPA-454/B-06-001, May 2006
Particle Pollution at www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution
National Park Service health advisory data at http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/data/current/advisory/advisory.cfm
EPA AirNow at www.airnow.gov
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