Carla Johnson grew up on a farm in small-town Alabama. After an untreated bout of pneumonia in her 20s, Carla’s lungs didn’t heal properly, leaving scarring behind. Now she suffers from a lung condition called bronchiectasis, which makes it difficult for her to be outdoors — especially on days when the air quality is poor.
“Air pollution is a serious issue for me,” Carla says. “You can’t always avoid going outside, and high-ozone days can affect indoor air quality, too. These are the times when I have the most trouble. These are the times I can end up in the hospital.”