As Air Pollution Rises, Local Programs Help South Seattle Families Breathe Easier

Osiris Brown's room is filled with Spider-Man toys and books for him and his younger brother. In the corner is a large air-conditioning machine and an air purifier. And scattered throughout his room and the house are emergency albuterol sulfate inhalers.

At 5 years old, Osiris can't really describe what happens when he gets an asthma attack. In between gasping breaths, words like "can't," "breathe," and "inhaler" are sometimes able to escape, long enough for his parents to grab one of his rescue inhalers and place the mask of the spacer chamber on his face.