COPD: Impact of weather and pollution

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Impact of weather

Weather can directly worsen your symptoms. Temperature and humidity are the main factors that can affect your ability to breathe.

Cold and windy weather lowers the air humidity. Dry air can irritate your airways and cause difficulty to breathe. In cold weather, please wear a scarf or a mask over your mouth and nose to warm and humidify the air.
Hot and humid weather can also worsen your symptoms. To avoid any complications in hot weather, please try to stay indoors.

Long-term exposure to air pollution (both indoor and outdoor) have severe consequences on lung health and can worsen your symptoms.

You may believe it is safer to breathe inside, but sometimes the air inside can be more polluted than the air outside.

Biological pollutants: This includes mold, pollen, pet dander and particles from dust mites and cockroaches.
Secondhand smoke: Environmental tobacco smoke contains the same hazardous chemicals as cigarettes.
Combustible pollutants: fireplaces (wood smoke), furnaces, heaters and water heaters that use gas, oil, coal or wood as fuel sources.
Asbestos: Found in some roofing, flooring and insulation materials.

Get rid of dust mites by washing linens frequently, keeping pets off furniture and keeping your home’s humidity level below 50 percent.
Be conscious of harmful household chemicals and choose natural products instead.
Having live plants in your home can help reduce air pollution.
Air filtration units can also be used

Air pollution is a significant risk factor for COPD and a number of other pollution-related diseases.

Monitor air quality alerts in your area and stay indoors when air quality is poor.
Exercise in the morning (if you must exercise outside), when air pollution levels are lower.
Keep your windows closed.
Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

Updated on April 4, 2025