Our long-term vision is healthy air, climate, and environmental justice for the benefit of all people in the region. To achieve this, we target the largest sources of the most harmful pollutants in our region to protect public health.   

The air pollutants that present the greatest risk to public health in our region include: fine particle pollution, diesel exhaust (diesel particle pollution), and greenhouse gas emissions through their contribution to climate change. The most well understood health impacts from air pollution include heart and lung impacts (mostly from fine particles), as well as potential cancer risk (mostly from diesel exhaust). While greenhouse gas emissions do not have direct health impacts, the public health impacts of climate change are substantial in our region and beyond.  

If you have plans to be active outdoors and are sensitive to air pollution, check the air quality forecast on the homepage our website.

Fine Particle Pollution (PM_2.5) & Your Health

Fine particles are tiny, microscopic pieces of pollution that can easily enter your bloodstream and cause breathing and heart problems. The health effects even from short-term exposure are serious, and include: 

• Asthma attacks
• Heart attacks
• Premature death
• Strokes

Fine particle pollution is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with sensitive immune systems. In our region, main sources of fine particle pollution come from wood stoves and fireplaces, backyard burn piles, wildfires, and transportation. Fine particle pollution has far greater health impacts than coarse particle pollution (PM₁₀), which cannot travel as far in our respiratory system. Ultrafine particles (PM_0.1) are even smaller particles whose health impacts are not yet as well understood.  

Fine particle pollution is the most impactful criteria pollutant in our region. EPA sets health-based ambient air quality standards for six criteria air pollutants, and air quality in our region meets all standards despite episodes of elevated air pollution. In summertime, the criteria pollutant ozone (which comes primarily from transportation) can sometimes reach unhealthy levels.  

Links

• Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM) - US EPA 
• How Wood Smoke Harms Your Health (PDF) - Washington State Department of Ecology 
• Smoke From Fires - Washington State Department of Health

Diesel Exhaust & Your Health

Breathing diesel exhaust can cause serious health problems. The tiny particles in diesel exhaust are highly toxic.  

Air toxics are a group of hundreds of different chemicals which are known or suspected to cause serious health problems. Potential health effects include cancer, lung damage, heart disease, and nerve damage. 

Diesel exhaust represents 80% of the potential cancer risk from all air toxics in the Puget Sound area. It is also linked to respiratory and cardiovascular problems, such as:  

• Asthma
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Premature death

Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems or illnesses are especially vulnerable. Recent studies show people living near ports and roadways have higher exposures and health risk. In our region, the majority of diesel exhaust comes from goods and people movement.