Tracking Air Quality in Vermont
Outdoor air can contain pollutants. These pollutants can be the result of human activity (car exhaust or trash burning) or from natural sources (pollen or radon). Air pollution has been linked to specific health problems — such as asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer.
Overall, Vermont's air quality is good. Vermont has much less traffic congestion, commerce and industry that can contribute to poor air quality. Even so, there are days when high levels of fine particulate matter in the air make it risky to be outdoors and physically active, especially for older adults, children, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma.
In Vermont, these higher risk days are often during periods of hot, humid weather. Particulates can aggravate existing heart and lung diseases, lower the body's defenses against inhaled materials, and damage lung tissue.