PDEQ - Quick Tip

Exercising can be bad for your heart! A growing body of evidence suggests that breathing air pollution may take a big toll on your heart, so we should not run or exercise along busy streets.

Some doctors and fitness experts studying information about air pollution and heart risk, are starting to suggest that people, especially those at highest risk, should consider finding ways to avoid fumes from traffic as much as possible. Murray Mittleman, a cardiologist at Harvard University, suggests that people should try to exercise away from major roadways if possible—although he emphasizes that they shouldn't stop exercising if they can't.

Meg Jordan, the editor of American Fitness, recommends that people check with their local air-quality agency and avoid exercising near roadways around rush hour and when pollution levels are high. "Do your jogging inside when pollution levels are high," she advises.

If you are exercising outdoors, try to do it at a time when pollution and traffic are at their lowest level -- very early in the morning or significantly into the evening when rush hour has passed. For up-to-the-hour air pollution information prior to heading out, check out Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s www.AirInfoNow.org website or call the PDEQ air pollution hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.