Regional Haze -- Health Effects

Fine particle pollution, that contributes to regional haze, can affect people's health. People most at risk include those with:

heart disease,
lung disease,
respiratory conditions (including asthma), and
diabetes, as well as
older adults and children.

Fine particles are deposited deep into lungs where they can accumulate on the surface or be absorbed by underlying tissue and enter the bloodstream. People with heart or lung diseases and respiratory conditions, such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are at increased risk of serious effects, because particles can aggravate these diseases. Particle Pollution Health Effects

In people with heart disease, particles have been linked to heart attacks and cardiac arrythmias (irregular heart rhythms). Recent evidence suggests that some of these cardiac effects may result from very short-term exposures, possibly as short as one hour.

People with diabetes may be at increased risk of serious effects from regional haze, possibly because of underlying cardiovascular disease.

Older adults are at increased risk from regional haze possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease or diabetes.

Children are likely to be at risk from regional haze for a number of reasons. For example, they may be more vulnerable to fine particles because their lungs are still developing. Also, children's breathing rates can be as much as twice as rapid as adults under resting conditions, and children tend to have far higher activity levels than adults on any given day, which will result in more particles being deposited in their developing lungs.

Long-term (years) exposure of healthy people to particles has been associated with reduced lung function and the development of chronic bronchitis.

People's chances of being affected by particles increase the longer they are active outdoors and the more strenuous their activity. This is because the harder we work or exercise, the more rapidly we breathe and greater concentrations of particles reach the deepest and most sensitive areas of the lungs.

People involved in an activity that requires heavy or prolonged exertion can reduce the time they spend on the activity or substitute another activity that requires less exertion, especially on days when particle pollution levels are elevated. For example, walking instead of jogging to reduce the impact of fine particles on their health.

Symptoms of exposture to fine particles include the following:

Even healthy people may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particles. Symptoms may include: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

People with lung disease may not breathe as deeply or as vigorously as normal, and may experience respiratory symptoms including: coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing, shortness of breath, and unusual fatigue. These symptoms are an indication to reduce exposure and to follow the advice of their doctor.

People with heart disease can have serious effects, such as heart attacks, with no warning symptoms. If people with heart disease have symptoms such as chest pain or tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue, these may indiacte a serious problem and should follow the advice of their doctor.

Asthmatics should already have an asthma action plan that they routinely follow, but may need to follow it more carefully when particle levels are high.

Maine DEP's Bureau of Air Quality issues Air Quality Forecasts year-round for fine particle pollution. Get forecast

There is some good news for Maine residents. 24-hour averages of fine particle pollution levels in Maine rarely get higher than the Moderate range of the Air Quality Index. Go to Air Quality Index

For more health information, please go to EPA's Health Information.