How to beat the air-quality heat this summer
Let’s start with a couple givens: Working out is good for your health, and air pollution is bad for your health. What we may not realize, however, is that exercise can make the effects of pollutant exposure worse. At rest, the average adults takes 15-to-20 breaths per minute, but during exercise that number can reach as high as 50 breaths per minute, meaning we’re taking in more air (and more pollutants).
Staying fit while protecting your health is a balancing act no matter what, but exercising in the summer comes with its own set of challenges. Hotter air can help pollutants linger and build up during the day, making outdoor workouts tough to muster. At the same time, moving indoors into climate-controlled gyms can up pollutant exposure, too.
The risks threaten to outweigh the rewards: Research has linked low air quality to health issues including asthma, high blood pressure, and cognitive impairment, among other conditions. Studies have even connected high pollution levels to decreases in athletic performance. A recent German study, for example, found that soccer players are less “productive” (i.e. that they make fewer passes) when particulate matter levels are high.
But skipping the workout altogether isn’t the answer. Here’s how to master what might seem like a no-win scenario.
Mind the Air Meter
Plan your workout a day in advance using the air quality forecast at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) airnow.gov tracker. For generally healthy individuals, if readings reach the “Code Red” or “unhealthy” range, it’s best to remain indoors. Asthma sufferers, the elderly, and other at-risk groups should forego outdoor activity when the the air quality reading hits the orange “unhealthy for sensitive groups” level.
Be a Morning Person
Air quality generally takes a nosedive in the summer, when prolonged heat and sunlight make the air stagnant. Pollutants tend to hang out and build up as the day wears on. That’s why the EPA recommends people limit their outdoor activities to early mornings, before ozone and other pollutants accumulate. Do your best to avoid working out during rush hour, when pollution levels spike, and steer clear of major roadways whenever possible.
Give Your Gym the Sniff Test
Expecting a gym to smell spring-time fresh is a tall order, but researchers have warned that certain odours might indicate air-quality trouble. A 2014 study of European gyms published in the journal Building and Environment found levels of airborne dust, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide in excess of what’s considered healthy. A stale or chemical smell might indicate a poorly ventilated space, researcher Carl Ramon told The New York Times; gym-goers should talk to the manager about assessing the air quality, checking ventilation, and choosing natural cleaning products.
Understand the Value of Exercise
Though experts agree that going for a jog on “red alert” days or in high-pollution centers like Delhi or Beijing isn’t the best plan, exercising outdoors in less- or moderately-polluted areas may not be so bad. A 2015 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that working out may help negate the negative impact of pollution. Of the 52.000 study participants, those who exercised regularly experienced greater longevity than those who didn’t, despite their air pollution exposure.
Disclaimers
1 Airmega air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander in the air based on KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing. They have been tested according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers. Tested with Airmega Aim, 50, 100, 150, Tower AP-1216L, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
2Our HEPA filter complies with IEST-RP-CC007 standards at speed level 1 as tested by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance). SGS's test report only reflects SGS's evaluation of the sample and does not reflect the evaluation of the batch of goods from which the sample was taken. Tested with Airmega 100, 150, 160, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 250 Art, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
3 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to JEM 1467: 2015 condition, the concentration of acetic acid was proven to be reduced up to 99.5% in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on actual environment. Tested with Airmega 150, Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
4 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022, showed result of over 99.5% removal rate of common household gases including Ammonia, Acetaldehyde, Acetic acid, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Benzene, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) within 30 minutes. Results may vary in different environments and not all odors or gas particles may be removed. Tested with Airmega MightyS AP-1512HHS, 250S, 300S, 400S, 350, 450
5 Test conducted using Coway Allergen filter media (5×5 cm) placed in a polyethylene bag. The allergen solution and sample were immersed in 2 mL of phosphate buffer (100 ng/mL) prior to the reaction and heat-sealed to specimen size. The reaction was maintained at 4°C for 24 hours. Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. conducted the test using ELISA to measure allergen concentration. Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
6 Removal rates of Ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) were tested in a 1 m³ chamber under EL608:2023 conditions for 30 minutes. Gas Detector Tubes were used for measurement, and testing was conducted by KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories). Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
7 Reduction rates of Naphthalene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide were tested using the Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH in 1㎥ chamber, following JEM-1467:2015 standards. Tests were conducted by Intertek. Actual performance may vary depending on the living environment. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
9 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted with Methyl mercaptan, Isovaleraldehyde, Isovaleric acid in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber with a test time of 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of over 99.5% was achieved. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
10 Tested by the Guangzhou Institute of Microbiology, exposed the filter media to protein solutions for 24 hours under ISO 4333-2022 standard. The results showed strong reduction performance: >99.79% for pollen, >99.60% for dog allergen, >99.90% for cat allergen, and >99.80% for dust mites matter allergen. Actual results may vary depending on room size, airflow, and pollutant levels. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
11 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber for 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of >99.5% was achieved for Formaldehyde and Toluene in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
12 Tested by Intertek. The evaluation was conducted against designated test materials: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. The test was performed in a sealed 1.0×1.0×1.0 m (1.0 m³) odor chamber at a test room temperature of (23±2)°C (measured between 23.6∼23.9°C) and a test room humidity of (45±5)% R.H. (measured between 40∼48)% Relative Humidity. It met the odor removal rate of ≥99.9% for Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
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