Ecology Department issues air-quality advisory for Eastern Washington

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - August 2, 2006

06-142

Ecology Department issues air-quality advisory for Eastern Washington counties

OLYMPIA - Due to the possibility of wildfire smoke settling over the Columbia Basin, the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is advising people in Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan and Stevens counties to take precautions to protect themselves from poor air quality.

Smoke dispersion and ventilation will become poor in the early evening through noon each of the next two days. As the surface temperatures heat up during the afternoon and instability increases, the smoke will lift, but due to very light wind speeds over the next 48 hours, the smoke will disperse poorly through most of North Central Washington.

According to the Department of Health, people who may be more sensitive to the harmful effects of smoke include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, those who have had a stroke, and people with existing heart or lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, angina and congestive heart failure. They may experience symptoms earlier or at lower smoke levels than healthy people.

People who have not been previously diagnosed with lung or heart disease may begin having problems in smoky conditions. Symptoms of potential lung and/or heart problems include wheezing, chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the left arm or jaw, rapid heartbeat, or sudden, overwhelming fatigue. People who experience these symptoms should consult their health care provider. Those who cannot reach their provider should call 9-1-1.

Steps to take when air quality is unhealthy:

Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed.
Use the recycle or recirculate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car.
Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce smoke indoors provided they are the right size for your home and filters are kept clean.
Avoid physical exertion. This includes keeping children from playing outdoors during smoky periods.
Asthmatics should follow their asthma-management plan.
If you have a lung and/or heart condition, be sure to keep at least a five-day supply of medication on hand.
Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth can also help relieve dryness.
Paper "dust" masks, commonly found at hardware stores, are ineffective against smoke particles. A fitted mask (OSHA N95) can be used to reduce smoke exposure unless it interferes with breathing. Okanogan County has been especially affected by the smoke. Anyone who might more sensitive to breathing smoke should consider leaving the area until the smoke clears.

Ecology also recommends that people limit their motor vehicle trips to minimize the emission of additional pollutants.

Current air-quality information is available at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/ .

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Contact: Glenn Kuper, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6848

For more information:
Ecology's Air Quality Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/airhome.html
Department of Health Smoke Fact Sheet: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/smokefactsheet.pdf