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Department of Ecology News Release - December 4, 2002
02-219
OLYMPIA - The stagnant air that settled over the Pacific Northwest on Nov. 25 has left Western Washington, allowing air quality to return to healthier levels.
As a result, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) has lifted its air quality advisory for the western part of the state. The advisory remains in effect for all communities east of the Cascades.
Conditions are changing quickly, however, and the weather forecast indicates that stagnant air conditions could return on Thursday and continue through the weekend.
"For the time being in Western Washington, young children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments can breathe a sigh of relief, although conditions may change again tomorrow," said Dick Stender, an Ecology meteorologist. "Unfortunately, east of the Cascades, people at risk still need to restrict their outdoor activities."
Due to the likelihood that stagnant air conditions will return, some local air agencies in Western Washington may continue restrictions on burning throughout the period. All state residents should continue to monitor news media for updated information about air quality conditions and check with local authorities about the status of burn bans.
Fine particles in smoke and other particles trapped by stagnant air conditions can be inhaled deeply into lungs and damage delicate tissues. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions are at greatest risk and should restrict their outdoor activities when the air is stagnant.
"During these periods, all of us need to protect our lungs and the quality of our air by driving less and restricting activities that create smoke and dust," said Stender.
Contact: Leslie Thorpe, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6848; pager, 360-534-8590
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
