Air Quality Alerts, Wildfires & Your Health

Air Quality Can Affect Your Health

When the amount of pollution in the air increases – for example, from wildfires – risks to your health can also increase. People highly affected by air pollution, or what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calls "sensitive groups," are at a higher risk. These groups include:

People with heart or lung disease
Older adults
Children

Staying informed about air quality alerts and having a plan can reduce your exposure to air pollution.

How You Can Stay Informed

Check Vermont’s current air quality forecast – including wildfire smoke – using AirNow.gov or your preferred weather app.
Sign up for emergency air quality alerts at EnviroFlash and VT-Alert.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is EPA’s index for reporting air quality, ranging from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. The AQI can help you decide what to do and when to take action. Follow guidelines and recommendations based on your group at each AQI level.

There is an AQI for major pollutants such as ozone, particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10), and gaseous particles. Air from pollution such as wildfire smoke – a mixture of particle and gas pollutants from burning trees, buildings and other materials – is unhealthy to breathe in, especially for people who are highly affected by air pollution. Climate change is expected to increase the risk of wildfires and other sources of pollution, which will impact our health more.

Air quality forecasts for the following day are typically made by 4:00 p.m. As conditions can change quickly, be sure to check for updates.

Check the AQI in Your Area

Looking for guidance for youth activities (schools, child care, camps, sports, etc.)? Go to the Vermont Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality

When the AQI is:	Who needs to be concerned?	What should I do?
Good (0 to 50)	No one	It's a great day to be outside!
Moderate (51 to 100)	Some people who may be unusually sensitive to air pollution (for example, if you have symptoms like coughing or if you are short of breath)	People experiencing symptoms: Consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense (for example, 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running). Watch for symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to take it easier. Everyone else: It’s a good day to be outside.
Unhealthy for some groups (101 to 150)	People highly affected by air pollution: People with heart or lung disease Older adults Children	People highly affected by air pollution and anyone experiencing symptoms: Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense (for example, 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running). Take more breaks. Watch for symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath. These are signs to take it easier. When outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask. Additionally, if you have asthma, follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. If you have other lung diseases or heart disease**, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. Contact your health care provider if you are having any of these symptoms.
Unhealthy (151 to 200)	Everyone	People highly affected by air pollution: Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense (for example, 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running). Consider rescheduling or moving outdoor activities indoors.* When outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask. Everyone else:** Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense (for example, 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running). Take more breaks during outdoor activities.
Very unhealthy (201 to 300)	Everyone	People highly affected by air pollution: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Reschedule to a time when air quality is better or move activities indoors.* When outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask. Everyone else:** Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense (for example, 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running). Take more breaks during outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or moving outdoor activities indoors.
Hazardous (301 to 500)	Everyone	People highly affected by air pollution: Remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping pollution levels low indoors.* If you are required to be outdoors, wear a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask. Everyone else: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. When outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask.

*Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air conditioning or to an indoor cooling site.

**Note: Talk to your health care provider before using an N95/KN95 mask especially if you have heart or lung problems. Cloth masks and dust masks will not protect you against air pollution. Follow these steps (available in languages other than English) to ensure you are wearing your N95/KN95 mask properly with a snug fit. A mask will not protect you against ozone pollution.

How to Stay Safe from Air Pollution

Know Your Risk

While exposure to air pollution can impact everyone, certain groups may be at greater risk, including:

Children and teenagers
Older adults
People with a history of heart disease, stroke, or blockages in the neck or leg arteries
People with a history of lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
People who are pregnant
Outdoor workers
People who are unhoused
Environmental justice focus populations – people of color, Indigenous people, low-income groups, people with language access needs

If you belong to one or more of these groups, take extra caution and follow recommendations to protect yourself against air pollution. If you have questions or concerns related to your health or risk status, contact your health care provider.

Be Aware of Your Symptoms

Air pollution can cause or worsen a range of symptoms that may depend on the amount of time spent outside, your level of exertion, the level of air pollution, and any existing health conditions you may have. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and could include:

Eye irritation
Scratchy throat
Runny nose
Irritated sinuses
Headaches
Tiredness
Cough
Wheezing or trouble breathing
Cough that will not stop
Asthma attacks
Rapid heartbeat
Chest pain
Other symptoms that worsen or do not go away

Health impacts from air pollution can look different for everyone. Be aware of what symptoms you are experiencing. You may need to take steps to reduce your exposure to air pollution, like taking it easy or going inside. If your symptoms are getting worse, then you may need to contact your health care provider. If you can't manage your symptoms on your own, then you may need to call 911 or go to an emergency department.

Limit Outdoor Exposure to Air Pollution

When the AQI reaches unhealthy levels, the best way to avoid breathing in smoke is to stay inside with your windows and doors closed. Consider limiting outdoor exercise and activities during smoky or hazy conditions (for example, shortening activities to 30 minutes instead of 1 hour, or walking instead of running).

Follow these steps to take it easy when air quality is poor and reduce how much air pollution you breathe in:

Reschedule or move outdoor activities to indoor spaces when possible.
Limit or avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity, such as mowing the lawn or going for a run.
If essential activities require you to be outdoors, take frequent breaks indoors or in spaces where the air is cleaner.
For ozone alerts, plan outdoor activities at times when ozone levels are lower, such as in the morning and evening.
If you choose or are required to spend time outdoors during poor air quality, consider wearing a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask.
If you do not have access to clean air indoors, seek places in your community that can provide indoor space with effective air filtration and ventilation. If it is hot, consider Vermont’s indoor cooling sites.
When it is unsafe for you to spend time outdoors, it is also unsafe for your pets. Keep your pets inside when possible.
During air quality alerts – ozone, particle pollution, and thermal inversions – try to reduce your contribution to air pollution. For example, reduce the number of trips you take in your car, avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.

Keep Your Indoor Air Clean

When unhealthy particle pollution – like wildfire smoke – requires you to spend more time indoors, there are strategies you can use to limit indoor air pollution. It’s important to note that air filters are not designed to protect you from ozone pollution.

Learn more about indoor air quality, including in languages other than English.

Choose one or more rooms that you can close off and keep clean from air pollution. Spend most of your time in these “clean rooms.”
Keep doors and windows closed to prevent outdoor air pollution from entering the room.
Use air conditioning or fans when it is hot. If possible, set your air conditioning to recirculate indoor air to avoid bringing outside air into your home.
If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air conditioning or to an indoor cooling site.
When air pollution levels are unhealthy, filter the air in the room using an air purifier with a HEPA filter. If you do not have an air purifier, consider following these steps to create your own.
Avoid indoor activities that create smoke or pollution – such as smoking, using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves, cooking or frying meat, burning candles, or spraying aerosol products.

Avoid Poor Air Quality While Traveling

If you have to move around on days when air quality is poor, follow steps to limit your exposure to air pollution:

Instead of walking or biking, consider driving, carpooling, or using public transportation.
While in vehicles, set the air conditioning to recirculate indoor air to avoid bringing outside air inside the vehicle.
When ozone levels are unhealthy, avoid idling your vehicle and refuel it when ozone levels are lower, such as the morning and evening.

More Resources

https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/