AN UNWANTED IMPORT

This week we have seen some of the worst air pollution in memory. “Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to be transported south by winds into the U.S. resulting in moderate to unhealthy air quality across parts of the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and Midwest on Friday,” the National Weather Service reported. The oppressive smoke this week has postponed professional sports games, grounded flights due to poor visibility, shuttered zoos and beaches and forced many to mask up outdoors. About 50 million people across several Midwest and East Coast states were under air quality alerts early Friday, but the number could change as conditions improve in some areas.

Pollution from Canada’s wildfires is particularly dangerous because it contains tiny particulate matter, or PM2.5, the tiniest of pollutants. When inhaled, it can move deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream. It comes from sources including the combustion of fossil fuels, dust storms and wildfires. Such smoke has been linked to several health complications including asthma, heart disease and other respiratory illnesses.

THE LINK BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

Driving performance is a key component of road safety, and a driver’s cognitive and behavioral capacities affect the driving performance. Air pollution negatively affects the cognitive and behavioral capacities, causing impulsivity, irritability, and aggression. Air pollution also causes haze that diminishes the visibility of roads.

Air pollution can lead to traffic accidents either by reducing the road visibility or impacting the driver’s health and cognitive abilities. Scientists who studied the relationship between air pollution (which is measured by PM2.5) and traffic accidents (which are measured by fatalities caused by accidents while route and light conditions, weather factors, and driver’s drinking behaviors are controlled) used data at the county level for the years 2011-2015 from 28 counties across the United States. The study found a positive and statistically significant relationship between air pollution and road traffic accidents(RTAs).

In addition, air pollution can lead to more severe road traffic injuries, or RTIs. Moderate or unhealthy air quality index, higher exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter, bicyclists or pedestrians, greater road width, nighttime, and higher temperature and relative humidity were significant risk factors for severe injury. Exposure to nitrogen oxide and ozone did not increase the risk. Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results between air pollutants and the risk of severe injury. Poor air quality and hot and humid weather conditions were associated with severe RTIs. Active commuters were at higher risk of sustaining severe RTIs.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING TIMES OF HIGH AIR POLLUTION

There are several things you can do to minimize the effects of severe air pollution on your driving performance and to deal with poor road visibility due to smog:

1, Drive with the air conditioning on the air-recirculating setting to keep the levels of ultrafine particulates within what’s considered to be safe levels.  

2. Drive on a route that’s a bit longer but has less traffic, and keep a practical distance between yourself and the next car. 

3. In places where the overall air quality is unhealthy no matter where you are, many people opt to wear masks. In parts of Asia, masks have become so prevalent they’ve turned into fashion statements, with people wearing many different colors and patterns. Do they really work? The short answer is yes. Even a basic mask, such as those worn in hospitals, can reduce the amount of particulates getting through. That said, while professional masks can remove more than 90 per cent of particulates in the air, they must be fitted properly to be effective.

4. Biking to work or just for exercise is great, but in times of high air pollution, altering the route may be a good idea. Unfortunately, most bike routes follow larger roads where there’s a significant amount of traffic exhaust with which to contend. Taking side streets that aren’t as busy or timing your trip to avoid rush hour will lower your exposure to exhaust and make your commute even healthier.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you are involved in a RTA and sustain a RTI, contact Dave Thomas at The Thomas Law Firm. Dave Thomas is an experienced and highly skilled personal injury attorney who will give you a free evaluation of your legal rights.  He can help you determine what costs can be recovered--such as medical and rehabilitative costs, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering--so that you can get back to the life you want.