VACATIONING IOWANS CAN AVOID LUNG BURN WITH ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

DES MOINES - Most summer vacationers know to slap on sunscreen to avoid sunburn, but avoiding lung burn is another matter.

The summertime family vacation may take Iowa travelers to areas where exposure to high levels of lung searing smog is common, but new resources can help vacationers protect themselves with air quality conditions listed for 275 cities, national parks and states.

"Even visits to U.S. National Parks and areas far removed from large cities can expose vacationers to some of the highest smog levels in the nation-even higher than that in large cities," said DNR air information specialist Brian Button. "That's because pollutants can travel great distances from where they are emitted. A trip to a rural Maine beach, the western deserts, mountainous areas, or fishing off the Atlantic coast can expose you to high smog levels on some days."

"Travelers can log on to the Internet to see up-to-date, hourly maps of smog levels across much of the nation with predictions for the next day's pollution too," he said. Often lodges, campgrounds and resorts in highly polluted areas post current air quality conditions, known as the AQI, or Air Quality Index, a nationally used color coded system that reflects the health precautions associated with pollution levels. Many newspapers and television stations also carry the information.

On high pollution days, limiting strenuous outdoor activities-long hikes, bike rides or running-is advised. Such activities increase the amount of air-and pollution-inhaled. "That can be tough, especially when in areas where you want to be active, like beaches, trails and parks, but you may be better off postponing the activity until cleaner air returns using pollution forecasts as a guide."

He said paying attention to air quality is especially important for children, who breathe more air per pound of body weight than do adults and whose lungs are developing. Active adults are also at risk.

"There is overwhelming medical evidence that exposure to ozone smog has both short and long term effects. Smog is a known trigger of asthmatic attacks, can reduce lung function, cause rapid and shallow breathing, discomfort, and similar to a sunburn, can burn the linings of the lungs. Repeat exposure can cause permanent changes in lung tissue among other health concerns," he said.

Button said the best web site is www.epa.gov/airnow, but www.theweatherchannel.com and www.iowacleanair.com have similar information.

"Usually activities in the early morning and evenings experience the least amount of ozone smog, which forms after sunlight and warm temperatures "cook" fumes, vapors and gases from vehicles, factories, refineries and other pollution sources.

For more information, contact Brian Button at (515) 281-7832.