(Salt Lake City, UT) – The Utah Departments of Health
(UDOH) and Environmental Quality (DEQ) have developed resources and
recommendations for outdoor physical activity in the summertime to help avoid
unhealthy exposure to ozone air pollution.
Ozone is created by the sun’s heat and light acting upon
gases and pollution in the atmosphere. Ozone levels change throughout the day
and are generally highest in the afternoon hours.
Exposure to high summer ozone levels can cause coughing,
wheezing, and chest tightness, worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, and irritate
the eyes, nose and throat. The severity of symptoms can vary depending on a
person’s sensitivity to ozone, and can be felt immediately or as late as one or
more days after exposure. People with heart and lung conditions, children,
seniors, and people who work or exercise outdoors can be more sensitive to
ozone.
“The most serious effects of ozone air pollution come
from heavy or prolonged breathing of outdoor air when ozone levels are above the
federal standard of .075 ppm,” said DEQ toxicologist Steve Packham, Ph.D. “It
is important to check current ozone levels before outdoor activities, and
especially before exercising outdoors.”
The agencies have developed materials to help Utahns
assess their sensitivity to ozone. Available online, they include
Recommendations for Outdoor Physical Activity During Ozone Season (May –
September), and an ozone tracking tool. The ozone tool can be used to track
outdoor activities, ozone levels, and symptoms experienced.
“By monitoring ozone levels and the symptoms you
experience during outdoor activities, you can determine what level of ozone you
are sensitive to,” said Kellie Baxter, UDOH Asthma Program. “This will help you
plan your day and decide when to move your activities indoors to reduce your
exposure.”
Video tutorials are available online to help Utahns
assess their sensitivity to ozone using the ozone tracking tool.
To help Utahns plan outdoor activities during ozone
season, UDOH and DEQ guidelines recommend:
• The best time for outdoor summer physical activity is before noon or after 6:00 p.m.
• If you are physically active between noon and 6:00 pm:
o Consider light to moderate activity (e.g., walking instead of running).
o Consider indoor activities.
• Discuss physical activities with your doctor, especially if you have lung disease or a heart condition.
• The best time for outdoor summer physical activity is before noon or after 6:00 p.m.
• If you are physically active between noon and 6:00 pm:
o Consider light to moderate activity (e.g., walking instead of running).
o Consider indoor activities.
• Discuss physical activities with your doctor, especially if you have lung disease or a heart condition.
Media Contacts:Kellie Baxter
(o) 801-538-6441 (m) 801-376-6032
Utah Department of Health
Donna Kemp Spangler
801-536-4484
Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
(o) 801-538-6441 (m) 801-376-6032
Utah Department of Health
Donna Kemp Spangler
801-536-4484
Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality
