This South Carolina Town Has the State’s Worst Air Quality
Well, be careful out there South Carolina. Air quality can be an important factor when it comes to knowing where you live. During this time, many are having allergy reactions…
bad air with PM 2.5 dust in the atmosphere in the city
Getty ImagesWell, be careful out there South Carolina. Air quality can be an important factor when it comes to knowing where you live. During this time, many are having allergy reactions and sneezing and coughing like crazy. Can you guess which town in South Carolina has the state's worst air quality?
A-Z Animals is naming South Carolina's town with the worst air quality. Located in Greenville County is the town of Mauldin. With the area growing in population as Greenville continues to be one of the state's newest booming areas, the air quality is somewhat important. Did you know that larger cities/counties tend to have more issues from pollution? Actually, in the Greenville County area, there were nearly 15 deaths linked to poor air quality back in 2016. Reports are showing that the Air Quality Index in Mauldin is 53.6. Anything between 51 and 100 is a moderate health concern so it is something to note when in the area. What does poor air quality mean for us? Well, poor air quality can affect our health in multiple ways. Things such as:
- Worsen lung disease
- Skin irritation
- Trigger asthma symptoms and bronchitis
- Increase respiratory infections
- Affect lung development
- and more!
Check out the full article here to learn more about the air quality in Mauldin and some of the information when it comes to this area of Greenville County.
North Carolina City Ranks As The Best Place To Live With Allergies
While we can't wait for spring that means the pollen is coming. That's right North Carolina if you suffer from allergies it's time to prepare. Each year the Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA) releases its list of "Allergy Capitals". The organization looks at the 100 most populous cities in the United States and ranks them from 1-100 essentially from the worst to the best place to live with allergies.
Factors considered in the rankings:
The good news for the Carolinas is that one city came in 2nd to last on the rankings, making it one of the best places to live if you have allergies. South Carolina cities came in noticibly higher than those in NC. Which does come as a slight surprise to me considering the thick layer of yellow pollen we get every year. But just goes to show you it can always be worse! Unless you live in Scranton, PA that is. According to these rankings no one has a worse time with allergies than them.
The AAFA offers some helpful tips on their website to help you deal with that pesky pollen:
- Check pollen counts or forecasts daily and plan outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are expected to be lower.
- Keep windows closed during pollen season or peak pollen times.
- Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter and/or HEPA filtration to reduce indoor airborne allergens (including pollen that may enter your home through doors, windows, on your clothes, and on pets).
- Wear sunglasses, a mask, and a hat or other hair covering when outdoors.
- Take a shower and wash your hair before going to bed (if your hair was uncovered outside).
- Change and wash clothes after outdoor activities.
- Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.
- Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Wipe pets off with a towel before they enter your home.
- Remove your shoes before entering your home.
- Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
Here's the 10 best and worst places to live with allergies as well as where all the North Carolina cities ranked for allergies:
