Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution for a
number of reasons: Their lungs are still developing, their airways are smaller,
and pound for pound they need more oxygen than adults. Children with asthma or
other respiratory ailments are even more sensitive to air pollution.
If you’re a parent or teacher who wants to help children
enjoy the great outdoors this summer, bookmark this handy
guide from the Oregon Health Authority. The guide – Public Health Guidance
for School Outdoor Activities During Wildfire Events -- includes a handy chart
that spells out when precautions should be taken based on the color-coded air
quality index.
Quick question: If the forecast is orange should all
children limit outdoor activities or just those in sensitive groups? If you’re
not sure that’s OK. That’s what the guide is for. Print it out and put it on
your refrigerator or bulletin board.
The guide also breaks down what precautions should be taken
based on how long children are outside from a 15-minute recess to hours-long
athletic practices.
Check out these
recommendations from Oregon Health Authority for more information on how
air quality can affect you and your children’s health.