Protect Your Health

Keep you and your family safe from the impacts of air and noise pollution! Keep in mind that everyone’s health is different, so make the choices that work best for your body. Youth, elders, and pregnant people, experience greater health impacts from air and noise pollution. Community members with existing health concerns such as heart conditions, heart disease, and asthma also experience greater health impacts.

To make more informed decisions about your health, you can find see the air quality (AQI) where you check the weather. You can also look up air quality levels at AirNow.

Protect Yourself INdoors

If the air outside is poor:

Close your windows and doors

Caulk or tape your windows and doors to stop bad air from coming in
Use portable air cleaners

Use HEPA filters and replace them every year
Use air purifiers that fit the size of your space
Place the air filter where you spend the most time. At night, this is likely where you sleep!

Protect Yourself outdoors

If the air outside is poor:

Wear a mask

Your mask should fit tight against your face with minimal leaking around the edges. N99, N95, KN95 masks give you the best protection. Take care when buying masks to avoid counterfeits.
Avoid major sources of pollution

If you can, avoid major sources of pollution which include wildfire smoke, cars and trucks, factories or industrial activity, and planes. Take extra care if you’re exercising!

Protect Yourself from Noise

Noise pollution can lead to heart problems, chronic stress, loss of sleep, and poor school performance.

Seal windows and doors

Use caulk to seal windows and doors so noise doesn’t come in
Insulate your home

Insulate your home with double paned windows
Sleep away from the noise

Choose places with less noise pollution and sleep farthest away from sources of noise
Protect your ears

Wear earplugs or noise canceling earphones