Health issues arise among student body as air conditions worsen

Many health issues in the Central Valley revolve around the air quality. It creates random flu seasons, allergy shots in the middle of May and a third of FC students missing from classes. Recently, Superintendent Jeremy Brown released a plan for hazardous air quality days which states the danger in certain air levels and what FC is going to do to make the environment safer for the students.

FC Athletics have already taken the task under way, using a subscription that provides the correct air status and the readings from partnering school districts. The elementary, junior high and high school departments are notified, and if the day affects sports games or practices, parents will be notified through email.

Brown believes the air quality is a much bigger problem than some realize. His job is one that must oversee all aspects of a successful working environment and declining such knowledge on the issue would be a failure on his part.

“It is a point of emphasis this year,” Brown said. “It does have impact on our students and if you have ever experienced someone struggling with breathing properly it makes you very aware of the issue. If FC isn’t a safe place emotionally, spiritually and physically then I have failed in my number one job.”

Air quality is measured in color levels. The orange level is unhealthy for sensitive groups, the red level is unhealthy for everyone and purple and maroon air quality levels are hazardous for everyone. The quality can change throughout the day. On red level hours, physical education classes will be moved to the FC gym opposed to outside. Children with asthma may stay indoors with a parent’s request and are advised to make their medicine available at school.

Amber Wilson, ’17, struggles with moderate asthma especially on red or purple levels. She believes that it is a big problem, specifically for the athletes.

“Even though we live in Fresno its usually fine for me because I don’t have severe asthma, as long as I’m not running around,” Wilson said. “I play sports and it’s really hard because we do have bad air quality and it is a problem. When its red or purple it affects me. If I just walk around I get tired and it’s hard to breath.”

Even though we live in Fresno its usually fine for me because I don’t have severe asthma, as long as I’m not running around. I play sports and it’s really hard because we do have bad air quality and it is a problem. When its red or purple it affects me. If I just walk around I get tired and it’s hard to breath. –Amber Wilson

Freshman Joshua Villa, does not care about the air quality. He does not have any history with asthma and the quality of air does not matter to him.

“I have not had any problems with asthma before,” Villa said. “So the levels of air doesn’t help me. Its not something important to me.”

For more information on healthy air living visit this website: Why Healthy Air Living?.

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