Air Quality Action Alert Issued for Saturday, May 19

People with lung and heart diseases, older adults and children are advised to reduce outdoor activities due to increased risks from air pollution.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a code orange air quality alert affecting the Chicago region is issued for Saturday, May 19. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Sensitive groups include children, older adults and those with breathing or heart disorders, including asthma and COPD and even active adults. Those with lung diseases, older adults and children may be affected by exposure to the ozone. Persons with heat and lung disease may be impacted by particles in the air. Air quality is expected to return to code yellow or moderate level on Sunday, May 20. On moderate days, air quality levels are acceptable but may affect a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. …

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Homegrown

Cleaner Air Could Be A Houseplant Away

This week, Heather shows us natural ways to breathe clean in our homes, just like the astronauts are using these days.

The air you breath at home could be making you sick. And now that winter's grip is upon us, our homes lock in even more toxins as windows are rarely opened and we spend more time indoors. The invisible toxins that would float out of the windows in the warmer months have nowhere to go. So they hang around and wreak havoc on our respiratory systems. Energy efficiency in the home is a beautiful thing. But it's also a major contributor to "Sick Building Syndrome." As homes become "tighter", there's even less of a chance that fresh air will enter. Making matters worse are the modern building and cleaning materials that release pollutants. There is a very simple solution. Houseplants. Not only do they beautify the space, but houseplants filter …

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