Poor air quality can cause a variety of health issues — ranging from coughing, congestion and throat irritation to heart and lung illnesses.

People with severe allergies, heart/lung conditions or those in high-risk age groups (young children and elderly) should limit or avoid outdoor activities whenever the air quality is compromised — including smoke from fires, airborne dust and smog conditions.

The El Paso County Health Department monitors and reports County air quality conditions year-round, including ozone, particulates (dust and smoke) and carbon monoxide levels.

Health experts say that El Paso County consistently meets federal and state ozone standards, but hitting that make may have just become more difficult. The standard for ozone levels was tightened by the EPA in March of 2008 — making it more difficult for El Paso County to maintain air quality standards.

In an effort to keep our air clean and healthy, members of the public can should do their part to reduce air pollution.

According to health officials, there are several simple ways you can help:

1) Drive less. Consider carpools, public transportation or ride a bike.

2) Keep vehicles well-tuned to reduce emissions. Regularly change oil and replace oil/air filters.

3) Whenever possible, avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment or wait until later in the day to operate. Limit fueled equipment usage to good air quality days and make sure it is well tuned.

4) Fuel vehicles when it’s cool and don’t overfill tanks.

5) Tightly seal lids on chemical products such as household cleaners to minimize potential evaporation.

6) Keep tires properly inflated to help reduce pollution. It also helps increase your gas mileage.

7) Properly dispose of paints and household chemicals.

8) Paint home or exterior structures in the spring or fall to avoid the peak “ozone season.” Use brushes—not sprayers—and avoid painting in the heat of the day.

Health officials want you to know you can always check air quality conditions by visiting the health departments website. Just click on the link below.

You can also check air quality information by phone; it is updated twice daily on the Air Quality Report hotline — (719) 578-3134 — and in the daily newspaper (weather section), which includes the Air Quality Index rating scale ranging from 0-50 (good air quality) to 201-300 (very unhealthy).

Remember to tune in next week for another Health Department Tuesday.

Stay healthy southern Colorado!