Code Orange Air Quality Alert and its Effects to Health

Code Orange Air Quality Alert
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Code Orange Air Quality Alert 
Due to the potential health effects of air pollution, government agencies have been using an air quality index (AQI) to determine the level of air pollution and warn the public. AQI can also be used to predict the daily quality of air. Six categories are used to report air quality and each category has been assigned a color. Orange is used when the air quality ranges from 101 to 150. At this level, the air quality is considered unhealthy, specifically for sensitive populations (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2020). However, the general population is unlikely to experience any health effects at this level.
Vulnerable Population
The populations most affected by a code orange air quality alert include active children, older adults, and people with lung and/or heart disease. Also, adults who are particularly active outdoors are affected by this level of air quality (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). Children, including adolescents, are at risk because they often engage in outdoor activities when the weather is warm and the ozone levels are higher. Also, the fact that the lungs of children are still in the development phase puts them at a higher risk of exposure. Older adults are at risk because other than their increased vulnerability to chronic diseases, the normal process of aging also increases their risk of poor air quality exposure. People with respiratory and/or lung diseases are at risk because high ozone levels worsen their existing health conditions, forcing them to visit the emergency rooms more often, as well as increase their medication uptake (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.). Adults who are active outdoors are at risk because of either heavy or extended exertion when they are going about their outdoor activities, such as running. These groups of people are referred to as sensitive groups and are at a greater risk of developing health complications as a result of the unhealthy air quality. The code orange air quality alerts for these populations are reported in terms of particle pollution, as well as ozone. When particle pollution or ozone predictions are reported to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, it means that these populations need to take protective actions.
Potential Health Risks
Poor air quality has been linked to several health issues. According to Aldy, Cao, and Zhong (2019), potential risks include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and respiratory diseases. As a result of these potential diseases, many people, especially those in the vulnerable groups, have died prematurely. When air quality is poor, people experience irritation in their respiratory system. The irritation manifests in terms of sore throat, tight chest, and coughing, among others. Also, affected people may suffer from a reduced lung function, which causes difficulty or discomfort when breathing. It can ...