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The Effect of Weather and Climate on Lung Disease Even healthy individuals can have breathing difficulties at extremes of temperature as well as with high levels of fumes and particulates such as those that can be produced by wildfire smoke, wood heating systems, and pollution. People with underlying lung diseases, however, often lack the respiratory reserves and ability to compensate during such conditions, experiencing serious breathing difficulties. Any chronic lung disease, including COPD, asthma, asbestos related lung disease, and others, increases susceptibility, especially if there is already a component of airway dysfunction. Extreme heat and cold can irritate the airways with subsequent bronchospasm. Excessive heat can also cause dehydration, which in turn can affect the ventilation and perfusion within the lung. In addition, the body needs to expend additional energy to regulate its temperature. For those with lung disease who may already be using up much of their energy reserve just for the increased work of breathing required by their disease, the body simply can not keep up with both demands. Extreme cold can cause bronchospasm, which is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscles around the bronchi. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. Air that is too dry can cause excessive dryness in the airways and adversely affect breathing. In contrast, air that is too moist can feel heavy and require increased work of breathing. Long periods of increased humidity are associated with increased dust mite and mold concentrations, which can adversely affect people with underlying lung diseases. Usually a low to moderate amount of humidity is best for most people. Particulate matter is made up of very small particles and liquid droplets containing acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil, or dust. They are characterized by size and have been found to be the component of air pollution that is most associated with human disease. Weather forecasts usually give an Air Quality Index. This takes into account things like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate levels, among other things, that can affect breathing and is usually issued along with a warning level regarding how safe it is for certain groups. High pollen levels, smoke from wildfires, industrial emissions, automobile emissions, and combustion-based heating can all negatively affect breathing, more so in those with underlying lung disease. Higher elevations have a lower percentage of oxygen in the air and can make it extremely difficult for those with lung problems. Wind can be good or bad. It can help blow away unwanted things like smoke or particulates, but in other cases it can bring these in from far away. While rain brings increased humidity, it can also help dampen down particulate levels. Temperature inversions, with cold air on the bottom instead of the top, common in certain types of terrain such as we have here in Libby, can cause fog and clouds that can trap particulates and make things worse. What can you do to protect yourself? Watch the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Try to install devices in your home, when possible, to modulate conditions. This may include air conditioning or fans, non-combustion sources of heat (avoiding things that burn), humidifier, and air purifiers. Avoid going out on days with extremes of temperature or humidity, or when the Air Quality Index is high. Consider wearing a mask if you must go out on days when the Air Quality is not favorable. Avoid trips to areas with elevation significantly higher that that at which you live or consider moving to a lower elevation. If you are interested in our free asbestos health screenings, please contact CARD at (406) 293-9274 for more information. Knowing your health status can help you make more informed choices. CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355. Ongoing care not covered. SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH 203705 The Effect of Weather and Climate on Lung Disease Even healthy individuals can have breathing difficulties at extremes of temperature as well as with high levels of fumes and particulates such as those that can be produced by wildfire smoke , wood heating systems , and pollution . People with underlying lung diseases , however , often lack the respiratory reserves and ability to compensate during such conditions , experiencing serious breathing difficulties . Any chronic lung disease , including COPD , asthma , asbestos related lung disease , and others , increases susceptibility , especially if there is already a component of airway dysfunction . Extreme heat and cold can irritate the airways with subsequent bronchospasm . Excessive heat can also cause dehydration , which in turn can affect the ventilation and perfusion within the lung . In addition , the body needs to expend additional energy to regulate its temperature . For those with lung disease who may already be using up much of their energy reserve just for the increased work of breathing required by their disease , the body simply can not keep up with both demands . Extreme cold can cause bronchospasm , which is a sudden , involuntary tightening of muscles around the bronchi . Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air . Air that is too dry can cause excessive dryness in the airways and adversely affect breathing . In contrast , air that is too moist can feel heavy and require increased work of breathing . Long periods of increased humidity are associated with increased dust mite and mold concentrations , which can adversely affect people with underlying lung diseases . Usually a low to moderate amount of humidity is best for most people . Particulate matter is made up of very small particles and liquid droplets containing acids , organic chemicals , metals , soil , or dust . They are characterized by size and have been found to be the component of air pollution that is most associated with human disease . Weather forecasts usually give an Air Quality Index . This takes into account things like ozone , nitrogen dioxide , sulfur dioxide , and particulate levels , among other things , that can affect breathing and is usually issued along with a warning level regarding how safe it is for certain groups . High pollen levels , smoke from wildfires , industrial emissions , automobile emissions , and combustion - based heating can all negatively affect breathing , more so in those with underlying lung disease . Higher elevations have a lower percentage of oxygen in the air and can make it extremely difficult for those with lung problems . Wind can be good or bad . It can help blow away unwanted things like smoke or particulates , but in other cases it can bring these in from far away . While rain brings increased humidity , it can also help dampen down particulate levels . Temperature inversions , with cold air on the bottom instead of the top , common in certain types of terrain such as we have here in Libby , can cause fog and clouds that can trap particulates and make things worse . What can you do to protect yourself ? Watch the weather forecast and plan accordingly . Try to install devices in your home , when possible , to modulate conditions . This may include air conditioning or fans , non - combustion sources of heat ( avoiding things that burn ) , humidifier , and air purifiers . Avoid going out on days with extremes of temperature or humidity , or when the Air Quality Index is high . Consider wearing a mask if you must go out on days when the Air Quality is not favorable . Avoid trips to areas with elevation significantly higher that that at which you live or consider moving to a lower elevation . If you are interested in our free asbestos health screenings , please contact CARD at ( 406 ) 293-9274 for more information . Knowing your health status can help you make more informed choices . CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355 . Ongoing care not covered . SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH 203705