Email from Breathe Southern California

October 2025 - Falling Into a Season of Solutions

MARC MY WORDS: Thoughts from Breathe SoCal's President & CEO

Fall has arrived. Despite the rain,

I love this season, and the month of October in particular. I get to pull out my sweaters from my closet and cover up for sweater weather. And of course,

October also means fresh apple cider, leaves changing colors, college football, and Halloween decorations on every block. October is also Heathy Lung Month.

That means this is a time to raise awareness about lung health by highlighting the importance of taking care of the organ that keeps us breathing.

Our lungs work nonstop, day and night, for our entire lives. But not everyone’s lungs breathe easily. An estimated 30 million people in the United States live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and another 27 million suffer from asthma. Make sure your primary care provider is checking your lungs when you get your annual physical.

At Breathe SoCal we are diligently working throughout Southern California focusing on lung health.

A big part of that is to make sure we are all breathing clean air. That is why we promote electric vehicles (EVs) and the infrastructure to keep them charged.

Along with a greener future, we must create avenues for the infrastructure to thrive with a robust workforce. We’re very excited to be unlocking new career opportunities and collaborating with Charger Help by offering scholarships for an electric charger program will provide certification to maintain and repair EV charging stations. In 2026 we’ll be doing it again in the Spring for students at other local colleges.

Lung Health Throughout the Holidays!

With wildfire smoke, flu season, and fall allergies all impacting Los Angeles in October, a layered approach is recommended for respiratory health. Precautions include monitoring air quality, getting vaccinated, and practicing good hygiene. Monitor and respond to wildfire smoke.Even if you are not near an active fire, the Los Angeles area experiences lingering effects from wildfire smoke, which can be more toxic than normal smog.

Check the AQI. Use sites like AirNow.gov to monitor the Air Quality Index in your specific area, which rates air quality from "Good" to "Hazardous".
Stay indoors on bad air days. When air quality is poor, keep your windows closed. If possible, run an air purifier to help filter indoor air.
Use a mask. Wear a high-filtration mask, such as an N95, if you must go outside when smoke is present.
Limit outdoor exercise. Avoid intense physical activity outdoors when smoke levels are high.

In The News

BIG NEWS: Governor Newsom has signed AB 1003 into law!

Southern California can collectively celebrate. This bill strengthens protections and resources for our communities as we continue the fight for clean air and healthy lungs.

Thank you to our advocates and partners for making this possible! It even more meaningful with the upcoming anniversary of the devastating wildfires from Jan 2024.

Leading up to COPD Awareness Month, we are thrilled to share COPD Action Alliance’s newest report “COPD in America and the Road to Better Care.”

Breathe Southern California and the Emphysema Foundation of America are grateful to have joined the COPD Action Alliance this year to partner in our efforts in COPD advocacy.

The white paper is a valuable resource for COPD education and advocates for policymakers to support those affected. Marc Carrell and his team applaud the CAA and call for more solutions with COPD.