07/18/2026
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Good news! Air quality has been looking better lately, but conditions can shift fast.
Kids' lungs are still developing, and they're more vulnerable to air pollution than adults, they breathe faster, spend more time outside, and inhale more pollutants as a result. This matters even more for kids with asthma or immune conditions.
Quick AQI Refresher
The Air Quality Index (0-500) tells you how clean the air is:
🟢 Good
🟡 Moderate
🟠 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
🔴 Unhealthy
Watch for these signs:
👉 Coughing, wheezing, or noisy breathing
👉 Itchy/watery eyes or burning throat
👉 Shortness of breath or chest tightness
👉 Unexplained fatigue, headaches, or dizziness
🚨 Go to the ER immediately if you notice: blue lips/fingertips, gasping, trouble speaking, or disorientation
Visit airnow.gov to check AQI before heading out this summer.
✅ Stay in if AQI >100 for sensitive kids, >150 for healthy kids
✅ Mornings > afternoons for outdoor time (air quality tends to dip later in the day)
✅ Windows closed indoors + in the car (AC on recirculate)
✅ HEPA purifier in bedrooms/play areas = game changer
Questions? Your pediatrician is always your best resource.
