Liberty Station Blog

The air quality in San Diego may negatively affect those that lead an active lifestyle.  Please read the message below from E. Lee Rice, DO of the Lifewellness Institute. 

“As a physician, it’s rare that I tell people to exercise less.  Exercise is addictive; it nurtures the body and soul.  Unfortunately, poor air quality conditions after the wildfires also mean that exercise must be practiced with discretion.

As the wildfires dwindle and are extinguished, the logical assumption is that the air quality is improving every day.  But scientific reports tell a different story: smoke-laden air from the fires is not dissipating quickly.  Changes in wind and weather conditions mean that even areas distant from the fire are suffering from polluted air.

Respiratory problems from fine particulates in the air may not be immediately apparent.  The effects are gradual and cumulative.  Symptoms may appear after days, weeks or even months later.  So even if you aren’t suffering immediate symptoms, you should take these steps to protect your lungs from poisonous toxins:

• Observe local, current air quality reports and adjust your workouts accordingly. 
• If possible, move your workouts to an indoor gym. 
• If you do choose to exercise outdoors, consider lowering the intensity and duration of your workouts.
• For outdoor workouts in unhealthy air conditions (Based on Air Quality Index), wear a mask to filter out particles.

There are numerous face masks available, but not all are effective in filtering out particulates.  Look for a NIOSH-approved mask with a rating of P90 or above.  If you would like to get a mask, contact the San Diego Red Cross at (858)309-1200 or info@sdarc.org.

Respiratory problems can have many symptoms.  Be aware of any shortness of breath or discomfort in the lungs – including tightness, wheezing, coughing, pain, and difficulty breathing.  If you should experience any of these symptoms, stop exercising until the symptoms resolve, then take it easier during your next exercise session.  Most importantly: don’t push yourself to workout in poor air conditions.”

Here are some websites with current information on air quality: http://www.sdapcd.org/  and http://www.airnow.gov/.