Parts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are under air quality alerts as pollution levels rise across the region, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow map and monitoring system.
The AirNow map shows pockets of “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” air quality across the three Southern states, with elevated pollution levels increasing health risks for millions of residents, particularly children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
Why It Matters
Poor air quality can affect anyone, but health experts warn that children, older adults and people with asthma, lung disease or heart conditions face a greater risk of serious health effects.
Air quality alerts have become increasingly common across parts of the United States as heat, emissions and changing climate conditions contribute to more frequent pollution episodes.
Who Is Most at Risk
While poor air quality can affect everyone, certain groups are especially vulnerable. These include:
- Children, whose lungs are still developing
- Older adults
- People with asthma or chronic lung disease
- Individuals with heart conditions
These populations are more likely to experience severe effects when air quality is rated “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy.”…