The American Lung Association (ALA) has released its annual “State of the Air” report, which highlights the harmful effects of poor air quality on children before birth. Dr. Aaron Levy, a pediatrician at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, emphasizes that women exposed to higher levels of poor air quality are at a greater risk of having premature and low birth weight babies. Additionally, poor air quality can lead to conditions like preeclampsia in mothers.
The report gives Mecklenburg County a “C” grade, marking a significant improvement from previous years. The county had three high ozone days between 2020-22, down from nearly four days per year in the previous report. One instance of poor air quality occurred last summer due to smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting south.
Exposure to poor air quality can make individuals more vulnerable to conditions like asthma, chronic illnesses, and weakened immune systems. Researchers stress the importance of monitoring air quality levels and limiting outdoor time during air quality alerts to protect health.
For more information on the ALA’s report, including city and state report cards, visit their website. Experts also offer tips on staying safe during poor air quality days.
