Learn How Air Quality Affects Your Health
National Air Quality Awareness Week April 29-May 3
Contact: Jannette Whitcomb, Environmental Health Program Coordinator, City of Aspen, 920-5069 or firstname.lastname@example.org
Aspen, Colorado – April 24, 2013 – The City of Aspen has a long history of cleaning and protecting our air. Air quality is an essential part of living a healthy life in Aspen and Colorado. You can learn more during National Air Quality Awareness Week, April 29-May 3, 2013.
Each day during the week will focus on an aspect of air quality.
· Monday, April 29 – It’s Not Just Ozone. Particle Pollution Matters, Too
· Tuesday, April 30 – Know When You Can Breathe Easy (World Asthma Day)
· Wednesday, May 1 – Heads Up. Particle Pollution Can Harm Your Heart
· Thursday, May 2 – Where There’s Smoke…There’s Particle Pollution!
· Friday, May 3 – You Can Help Keep the Air Cleaner and Your Family Healthier
Jannette Whitcomb, City of Aspen’s Environmental Health Program Coordinator said the attention to particle pollution in this year’s campaign is particularly relevant for Colorado and people in the Roaring Fork Valley. “Unfortunately, we’ve had some significant wildfire activity in recent years in our state that has impacted our region,” she said. “Smoke from wildfires and the accompanying particle pollution challenges the health of residents in impacted areas, sometimes periodically for several weeks. It’s important to be educated about particle pollution and simple precautions that can be taken to protect yourself and your family.”
The state posts a Colorado Smoke Outlook every day that is posted on the web (www.colorado.gov/airquality). There is also a link on the City of Aspen Environmental Health Department’s Air Quality webpage.
“Becoming aware of air quality and how it affects you is a positive first step to taking action to protect our health and improve air quality,” Jannette Whitcomb said.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division has created a special webpage for Air Quality Awareness Week at (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPHE-AP/CBON/1251641233596) with detailed information about each day’s topic.