the dangers of outdoor exercise

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512150141.htm

As environmentalists have pointed out, it can be as dangerous to be outdoors behind a city bus -- walking or bicycling -- as it is to be in front of one.

The main culprits are ozone, fine particulate matter, and carbon monoxide, he says. These pollutants irritate the lungs and respiratory system, and can exacerbate the problems of individuals with underlying disease

The pollutants affect the lungs by causing inflammation or irritation of the airway lining. More mucus and phlegm is produced, he says, and small muscles surrounding the airway respond by squeezing down. The work of breathing increases and it becomes more difficult to get oxygen into the body.

Ozone adversely affects a person's breathing pattern and causes the airways in the lungs to become smaller and more resistant to oxygen exchange. Because of ozone, a person working out has difficulty taking deep breaths, and has to breathe faster. As a result, the exercise becomes more stressful and difficult.

Carbon monoxide arises from cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. It has a tremendous ability to force oxygen out of our circulatory system -- it combines with hemoglobin 200 times faster than oxygen. Overexposure may lead to headache, dizziness, confusion, and dangerous increases in body temperature.

D: That is what I love about smog alerts.
Instead of incenting folks to drive LESS in the first place, we tell folks to *just* drive- thereby aggravating an existing smog alert.
I watch cars go by and see on average 1.5 occupants of each 5 person 'box on wheels'.
D: here's an idea. During smog alerts, the price of gas jumps a buck. To deter driving.
I think our bus gives one free smog day a month or something.

See
http://kwbusblog.blogspot.com/

D: I see hardcore joggers training in smog alerts. I point out the alert to them.
It never seems to stop them.
Madness- damaging your lung capacity due to some obsessive training!
After all, your cardio V-max is the ultimate bottleneck in your performance.