Adams County Health Department issues air quality advisory
Monitors show air quality as Very Unhealthy to Hazardous throughout the state
Last updated 9/16/2020 at 1:16pm
ADAMS COUNTY - The county health department issued the following public health advisory Sept. 14:
Air quality in Adams County, and throughout much of Central and Eastern Washington, is currently highly impacted by widespread smoke from wildfires. Monitors are showing Very Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality for most of the state. The smoke is not expected to clear in the near future.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles released when things burn. In addition to burning your eyes or nose, it can also be inhaled deep into your lungs. This makes it harder to breathe, may worsen other chronic health conditions, and increase a risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Inhaling smoke is not good for anyone, even healthy people. Those most likely to have health problems from breathing smoke include: children, older adults (over 65), and people with existing health conditions, including: respiratory infections like COVID-19 or influenza, respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD, heart or circulatory disease, diabetes, or history of stroke.
Health problems that can be caused by smoke include: eye nose and throat irritation such as burning eyes or runny nose, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, headache, and aggravation of existing lung, heart and circulatory conditions, including asthma and angina, or chest pain. Because COVID-19 has similar symptoms, testing for COVID may be necessary.
To protect yourself and your family from outdoor smoke, take the following precautions:
Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible.
Keep doors and windows closed.
Avoid physical exertion outdoors if smoke is in the air.
Check local air quality reports and listen to news or health warnings for your community.
If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medications and follow your asthma management plan. Call your health care provider if your symptoms get worse.
Run an air conditioner on re-circulate mode if you have one and close the fresh-air intake. Make sure to change the filter regularly. (Use a high-efficiency particulate air –HEPA – filters or MERV13-rated filters to reduce indoor air pollution. A HEPA filter with charcoal may help remove some of the pollutant gases from smoke).
Don't add to indoor air pollution. Do not burn candles, incense, fireplaces or gas stoves.
Don't vacuum because this stirs up particles already inside your house.
Routinely check on children, the elderly and friends and family who have breathing problems when outdoor air quality is unhealthy.
This year, COVID-19 is an additional factor causing concern about wildfire smoke. Smoke exposure increases susceptibility to respiratory infections (including COVID) and increases the risk of complications from respiratory infections. Cloth face coverings and dust or surgical masks will not protect you from the fine particles present in wildfire smoke and cannot be relied on.
For those who must be outside, an N95 or P100 mask that is properly fitted and worn correctly may provide some protection against outdoor wildfire smoke. A vented N95 would be acceptable but it does not protect others from COVID-19 should the wearer have it. N95's without a vent can make it challenging for many to breathe. In addition, many steps are necessary to assure a good fit with such a mask. Because of these concerns and because N95 and other NIOSH approved respirators are in short supply due to COVID-19, their use should be reserved for those who require them for work, especially in healthcare. The rest of us should minimize time outdoors only to essential tasks.
Schools are advised to consider closing for any in-person learning if hazardous air present indoors and cannot be mitigated (defined generally as presence of PM 2.5 > 150 at any time during any 24 hours when school would be in session)
For additional information on Washington State's air quality monitoring, visit the Washington State Department of Ecology website.
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