Air Quality Awareness Week

The Alabama Asthma Coalition, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), is encouraging Alabamians to learn more about asthma and air quality during Air Quality Awareness Week (AQAW). Read the ADPH blog post: Breathing Easier: Understanding Indoor Air Quality and Asthma.

The following social media messaging is shared on the Alabama Asthma Coalition and ADPH social media accounts in May. Follow our social media accounts and share our graphics and messaging on your social media accounts.

Alabama Asthma Coalition: Instagram | Facebook | X

Alabama Public Health: Instagram | Facebook | X

2024 Daily Topics and Messaging

Kick-Off Post

Air Quality Awareness Week is May 6-10! Check out the #AQAW2024 website: epa.gov/aqaw and follow @airnow for info and resources on how @EPA and its partners are working together for clean air. Read our blog post on indoor air quality & asthma: bit.ly/3wpfNBK.

Monday, May 6 - Wildland Fires and Smoke

To prevent wildfires, ADEM enforces a burn ban: bit.ly/4bmUpvX from May through October for 12 Alabama counties: Baldwin, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Morgan, Russell, Shelby, and Talladega. #AQAW2024 #PreventWildfires

Tuesday, May 7 - Asthma and Your Health

• May is #AsthmaAwarenessMonth and May 7 is #WorldAsthmaDay. Did you know that #AirQuality can greatly impact people with asthma and other respiratory conditions? Learn more at epa.gov/aqaw. #AQAW2024
• Vaping is harmful in 3 ways: 1.) To the user, as harmful ingredients are not disclosed. 2.) To others, as vape clouds contain cancerous chemicals, heavy metals, and nicotine, which can be inhaled by nearby people. 3.) Through thirdhand aerosol exposure, as the chemical residue remains on surfaces after the person vaping has left the room. Learn more about vaping and smoking when you have asthma: bit.ly/3UMILox. #WorldAsthmaDay #AQAW24

Wednesday, May 8 - Air Quality and Climate

Does your school encourage no idling in the car line? ADEM provides signs so you can “Protect young lungs at play.” Contact [email protected] to reserve a sign for your school. #AQAW2024 #NoIdling

Thursday, May 9 - Air Quality and Environmental Justice

Indoor air pollution disproportionately affects low-income & marginalized communities, leading to serious health issues. DYK you can sign up to be informed when permit applications are submitted and to be able to request a public hearing? Sign up: adem.alabama.gov. #AQAW24

Friday, May 10 - Air, Animals, and Plants

We love them but our furry babies, among other things, can trigger allergies & asthma. There are things you can do: bit.ly/4aXqquF including buying an air cleaner with a HEPA filter. Or you can build your own air purifier! It is called a Corsi-Rosenthal Box (#CRBox). This website: bit.ly/44lXFFw teaches you how. Teachers, build 1 or 2 for your classroom for a memorable and useful #STEMproject! #AQAW2024

Bonus Post

Did you know you can easily monitor the carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) in your indoor air using portable, handheld monitors? Monitoring can tell you if you need ventilation. Lower CO2 means less risk of getting respiratory viruses. Particulate matter (PM) triggers asthma attacks. Using portable HEPA air purifiers can help remove PM. CO2 and PM monitors available for loan from Indoor Air Care Advocates. Email [email protected]. #KnowYourAir#AsthmaAndYourHealth #AirQuality #AQAW24