As people we know that air pollution is not only bad for the environment, as some chemicals in the air contribute to global warming, but also negatively impacts our own health as well. Air pollution causes many respiratory problems and allergies in humans, but did you know that air pollution also has a negative impact on the health of our furry friends? What’s bad for us and our people friends is also bad for our favorite pets. Improving in home air quality and minimizing time spent outdoors in a heavily polluted area are just some of the ways to combat the health risks involved with air pollution. But what exactly is air pollution? How can it be measured in our homes and outdoors, and what really are the health consequences of poor air quality?
What is Air Pollution?
“PM” or particulate matter measures the size of the debris in the air. A PM of 10 would be similar to that of pollen which only irritates the eyes, throat and nose. A PM of 2.5 is small enough however to be inhaled into the lungs and will have the most adverse health effects. The level of air pollution is measured on a sale called the Air Quality Index (aqi) from “Good” to “Hazardous”. The merical breakdown of the air quality index (aqi) ranges from 0 – no air pollution to 500 – extremely hazardous conditions, which is further broken down below:
● Good air quality receives a rating of 0-50 on the air quality scale and is considered safe. There are few to no health risks associated with an air quality score in this range.
● Moderate air quality receives a rating of 51-100 on the air quality scale and is considered safe for most people. However some pollutants may pose as a health concern for a small group of people that are highly sensitive to air quality and pollutants.
● Unhealthy for sensitive groups receives a rating of 101-150 on the air quality scale. While air quality still may be safe for most people, groups who are highly sensitive to air pollution will experience adverse health effects.
The above air quality rating are all generally safe for people and pets to experience. As the air quality score worses, or rises in number, it is generally best to limit time spent outdoors as a health precaution for you and your pets. The following air quality ratings are considered unsafe for both humans and animals to be outside for prolonged periods.
● Unhealthy air quality receives a rating of 151-200 on the air quality scale and is considered unsafe. In this range most people will begin to experience the adverse health effects of poor air quality and the extremely sensitive groups will begin to have more serious health effects. Animals are also impacted at this level, their health will begin to deteriorate at a rating above 151. It is also recommended that the use of an air filter or respirator mask such as an N95 mask is used at and above this level.
● Very Unhealthy air quality receives a rating of 201- 300 on the air quality scale. At this level the adverse health effects of poor air quality are widespread among people and animals.
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● Hazardous air quality receives a rating of 301-500 on the air quality scale. This is the absolute worst air quality score and it poses emergency health conditions for the entire population. People and pets should not go outside during times when the air quality is rated hazardous.
Why is Air Pollution dangerous?
For people:
We are all affected by seasonal allergies in some way. Whether you only see the yellow-green dust accumulate everywhere each spring or you carry a box of kleenex everywhere you go for the whole season the pollen impacts us all. Air pollution is like a more severe form of that pollen, some people are more impacted by it than others, yet it has the same long term health effects on all of us depending on our exposure levels.
For pets:
Our pets have about 300 million olfactory receptors compared to us humans who can have only up to 6 million olfactory receptors. While that explains how our furry friends can smell us opening the pantry to find a snack from rooms away, it also means they are just as susceptible if not more susceptible to air pollution that we are.
Since pets are smaller than us it takes pollutants less time to accumulate in their systems and begin causing adverse health effects. Similar to humans respiratory issues are the number one result of a pet living in an area with poor air quality. It has been found that pets who live in areas or homes where they are more exposed to air pollutants have a greater risk of developing respiratory problems than pets who do not live in these environments. Just like in humans, dogs and other animals living in polluted areas also experienced neurodegeneration. The prolonged exposure to pollutants that causes dementia and Alzheimer’s in humans, showed the same symptoms in dogs. They were disoriented and unable to recognize their owners, just as many Alzheimer’s patients fail to recognize family members or caregivers later in life.
What are signs of respiratory issues in dogs?
What to do if your pet lives in polluted places?
Fortunately for people there are masks made to filter air in these conditions. These N95 filter masks make it safe for humans to be outdoors when the air quality is rated above 151. An N95 respirator mask fits close to the face, covering the nose and mouth and filters particulate matter as small as .3 micron. However, these masks have not been made to fit dogs, cats and other animals. Making it extremely unsafe to even take a quick bathroom break, let alone go for a walk outside.
Relatively new to the market is a mask called the K9 Mask that provides the same filter found in an N95 mask made for humans, but is specially fit for dogs. The K9 Mask is a start-up that has done extensive research on how to provide a safe and dog friendly air filter mask. They have sizes ranging from small to extra large, with an extra small size coming soon. These masks would make it safe to live or return to an area where the air quality is frequently hazardous with an aqi of 151 or above.
What about Indoor air quality?
The best way to avoid the health hazards caused by air pollution is to stay indoors and maintain good indoor air quality in your home. Burning incense, wood, cigarette smoke, and using chemical cleaners all create poor air quality in the home, not only for the people who live there but also your pets. What may seem safe to use or burn for yourself can actually be harming your furry friends.
The first step to improving in home air quality is to change the air filters connected to your HVAC system regularly to ensure that they are clean and maintaining good air circulation in your space. A clogged air filter not only inhibits air flow, and makes your HVAC unit work harder than it needs to, it also recirculates dust and debris into your home worsening indoor air quality. Other ways to keep indoor air quality at its best is to invest in indoor plants, a humidifier or a stand alone air filter. House plants such as snake plants, fiddle figs, or money plants not only add to your home’s aesthetic but also purify and add moisture to the air. Stand alone humidifiers and air filters do the same thing as house plants. The only downfall is that it may be more expensive to buy the appliance than a houseplant. To benefit your carbon footprint and your wallet it may be the better option to purchase a few houseplants before humidifiers and air filters.
How do you know if any of these measures really work, or what your homes indoor air quality is to start out? There are indoor air quality monitors available, much like a carbon monoxide detector these sensors are placed in your home and measure the accumulation of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, dust and other allergens. Some are even smartphone compatible, so you can easily read the results right in the palm of your hand. They can offer alerts and warnings when your home begins to creep over the good air quality threshold.
Pets share the same air we do, so knowing the quality of the indoor air and outdoor air where you live is important for not only your personal health but the health of your pets as well. While it is hard to control the outdoor air quality where you live, work and play, maintaining a good air quality inside will help limit the amount of pollutants you and your pet come into contact with. Limiting time spent outside in poor air quality, using a respirator mask if necessary, creating great air quality inside by having plants, and non harsh chemical cleaners are some of the easiest ways we mentioned to keep you and your pets in the best health. Time spent in good air quality ensures a high quality of life for you and your furry friend for years to come.
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