Air Quality Awareness Week, observed from May 5 to 9, and led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a call to action. This year’s theme, “Stay Air Aware,” is simple, but urgent—help people understand how air quality impacts health and what they can do about it. It also aligns with World Asthma Day on May 6 and kicks off Asthma Awareness Month, creating a key moment to focus on the real-life effects of air pollution, especially for the 25 million Americans living with asthma.

Asthma is a chronic disease that inflames and narrows the airways. For someone with asthma, even short-term exposure to polluted air can trigger coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or even a trip to the emergency room. Pollutants including ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), dust and smoke can all worsen asthma symptoms. Kids are especially vulnerable. Nearly one in 13 school-aged children has asthma, and it is the top cause of school absenteeism from chronic illness. That makes air quality not just a health issue, but an education and equity issue, as well.

Wildfires and prescribed burns are becoming more frequent, and their smoke can travel hundreds of miles. This smoke contains fine particles that can get deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing inflammation and triggering asthma or heart problems. Even those that do not live near a fire zone are not in the clear. Wildfire smoke can affect urban and rural areas alike. While healthy adults might feel irritation, people with asthma, heart conditions or limited access to clean indoor spaces are at a much higher risk. That is why Air Quality Awareness Week includes resources to help check daily air quality, prepare the home and reduce exposure.

Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, and many asthma triggers such as mold, dust mites, smoke and cleaning chemicals are common in homes and schools. The EPA IAQ Tools for Schools program provides low-cost steps schools can take to reduce asthma triggers, including proper ventilation and regular maintenance. They have also developed a mobile app to help school staff track and improve air quality onsite. Here is how to stay air aware:

·   Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily, especially if someone in the home has asthma or heart disease.

·   Use portable air purifiers and make sure they are the right size for the space. Look for a smoke Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that is at least two-thirds of the room size.

·   Avoid burning wood or trash indoors, and follow EPA Burn Wise tips if heating a home with wood.

·   Keep schools and homes clean and ventilated to limit indoor asthma triggers.

·   Talk to a doctor about an asthma action plan if a child has asthma.

·   Spread the word by using hashtags such as #AsthmaAwarenessMonth and #WorldAsthmaDay.

For more information visit epa.gov/airquality.