Is the Drought Making Your Asthma Worse?

Visit the allergist in Ventura CA to reassess your asthma treatment plan.

According to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report for 2015, years of drought are hindering California’s efforts to improve our air quality. Despite our state’s strong clean air and fuel standards, which help lower levels of man-made particulates in the air, a chronic lack of moisture has allowed natural particulates such as dust and soot from wildfires to abound.

Results of the State of the Air Report

The report, which was based on data gathered from 2011 to 2013, found that the region from Fresno to Madera was the single most polluted region in the country, as measured by the amount of microscopic particulates, aka soot, in the air. This region was the worst for air pollution whether the data being compared represented a yearly average or a single worst-case 24 hour period.

The report also looked at smog levels. When the levels of ozone (the main ingredient in smog) were compared, LA County was as usual the worst metro area in the country. LA County has ranked worst on the American Lung Association’s list of the top smoggiest metro areas in the US 15 times in the last 16 years.

However, despite LA’s continuing status as the smoggiest county in the nation, some progress has been made. The 3-year average for air quality during 2011 to 2013 was the best ever reported by the American Lung Association’s State of the Air report. In this same period, LA County cut its unhealthy air days by a third.

Why This Matters to Asthma Sufferers

A growing body of research is showing that there is a clear link between pollution and asthma, especially allergic asthma. In some cases, the presence of ozone can actually alter the chemical structure of allergens, making them more potent and triggering more frequent and more severe allergic reactions.

As we enter summer, it is especially important to make sure your asthma is properly controlled. After all, heat accelerates the chemical reactions that form ozone. So if we expect a hot, dry summer ahead, we can expect to see sootier, dustier, more polluted air with a higher ozone content and more issues for asthma and allergic asthma suffers.

The good news is that help is at hand at Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Medical Group. Simply contact us now to set up an appointment with one of our knowledgeable allergists who can assess your allergic asthma and make sure you have the quality medications you need to manage it properly.