As air quality alerts continue to affect millions of people across the country—estimates now say up to one-third of the US population are affected by smoke from wildfires in Canada—it’s important to remember that air pollution and wildfire smoke can be especially harmful if you’re pregnant. Air quality alerts should not be ignored—especially for the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children under 18, adults over 65, and those with cardiovascular conditions or lungs, such as heart disease or asthma.
“Pollution can have severe and possibly long-term effects on pregnant women and fetuses. As pregnant women inhale polluted air, they expose themselves and their developing fetuses to harmful substances such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead, among others,” said the Shawana Moore, DNP, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BCa board-certified women’s health nurse based in Atlanta and Medical Advisor to Mira.
Unfortunately, studies show that air pollution can increase the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, miscarriage and stillbirth, which is why taking extra precautions to protect yourself when air quality alerts are issued is “important and important,” said Dr. Moore. This is another example of how climate change directly affects women’s health.
If you’re getting alerts that the air quality in your area is “unhealthy” or worse, here’s what to do.
How the Air Quality Index (AQI) works.
Ranging from 0 to 500, the Air Quality Index is a scale that shows the higher the level of air pollution, the greater the health concern. An AQI value of 0 to 50 poses little or no health risk from pollution, whereas an AQI value of 300 or higher may be hazardous. The AQI is divided into six categories, and each category corresponds to a different level of health concern and unique color.
AQI values at or below 100 are generally considered satisfactory for most people. When AQI values are above 100, the air quality is unhealthy: initially for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values increase, notes AirNow.govthe government website that releases the Air Quality Index.
How to manage unhealthy air quality in pregnancy
If you’ve received a notification that the air quality in your area has been rated unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse (an AQI of 101 or higher), here are tips recommended by Dr. Moore to protect your health during pregnancy.
Avoid outdoor activities
When you’re pregnant, even outdoor activities like walking can be more taxing on your body when the air quality is poor. “Inhaling air with fine particulate matter pollution puts strains on the heart and can rapidly worsen heart conditions,” says the New York State Department of Health. Pregnancy can also put more stress on the heart. It’s important to stay indoors as much as possible, especially during peak burning hours when wildfire smoke is most intense, Dr. Moore. If you must be outside in unhealthy air quality, aim for a short duration.
Wear a mask
Divide your stash of N95 masks, which can provide significant protection from fine particulate matter and other toxins. If you are pregnant, or if you have small children who may be sensitive to air pollution, wearing a mask whenever you must be outside in poor air quality is recommended, as is avoiding activities that require intense effort.
Use air filters
If you spend a lot of time indoors, it’s wise to keep the windows closed and invest in a air filter, which captures fine particulate matter that can enter the home. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective at capturing fine particles.
Monitor air quality
Stay informed about air quality levels in your area by using the air quality index app or internal monitor. Most comprehensive weather apps will show you the ambient air quality index along with other details. Remember, follow the warnings!
