How Does Extreme Heat Affect Air Quality?
Climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and intense, and that can have a negative impact on the air we breathe.
Hot weather can worsen air quality by increasing ground-level ozone, creating dusty conditions, fueling wildfires, and trapping pollutants in place.
The result? Higher levels of harmful pollutants like PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs—especially concerning for people with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions.
Watch the video to learn how extreme heat and air pollution are connected.