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Sept. 30, 2005
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued another smoke
advisory today across many areas of the Los Angeles Basin due to predicted
unhealthful levels of fine particulates from Southland wildfires.
All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary
outdoor activities in the smoke-impacted areas.
Wildfires generate smoke containing fine particulates known as PM10 and
PM2.5. AQMD has issued a smoke advisory and air quality forecast in effect
all day today in the following areas:
- West San Fernando Valley - UNHEALTHY
- East San Fernando Valley – UNHEALTHY
- Central Los Angeles - UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- Northwest Coastal Los Angeles County, including West Los Angeles,
Malibu, and Topanga areas – UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- West San Gabriel Valley – UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- Santa Clarita Valley - UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- Banning/San Gorgonio Pass - UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- East San Bernardino Valley - UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
- East San Bernardino Mountains - UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS
AQMD offers the following specific advice for curtailing activities at
the following air quality levels:
In areas with air quality that is UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE INDIVIDUALS,
sensitive or susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease,
should minimize outdoor activity.
In areas with UNHEALTHY air quality, everyone should discontinue
prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour. Examples
of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are calisthenics,
basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming laps, and water
polo. Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, should
avoid outdoor activity entirely.
AQMD has initiated air monitoring near the
Santa Susana Field Laboratory to test for toxic air contaminants following
Thursday’s fire at the facility. Initial sampling results will be available
in a few days. Some air contaminants require additional time to analyze.
Results for those contaminants should be available within the next several
weeks.
AQMD offers the following general guidance for residents in areas
affected by wildfire smoke:
- Stay indoors. Limit your exposure to unhealthful air quality
conditions as much as possible. Keep your windows and doors closed. Use
your air conditioning system, and place it on recirculation mode if
available to avoid bringing outdoor air into the home. Remember to change
your filters regularly. Indoor HEPA air filters can reduce the levels of
particles in your home.
- Play indoors. Choose indoor options for children that live and play in
areas with unhealthful pollution levels. Schools and day care centers
should limit or cancel outdoor activities and events that involve
prolonged exposure and strenuous exercise or sports participation.
- Reduce your activity. Reducing your physical activity lowers the
amount of polluted air you breathe.
- Consult your physician. If you suffer from a heart or lung ailment,
monitor your physical condition closely and talk with your doctor. He or
she can advise you on treatment and whether and when you should leave the
area. Call your doctor immediately if your condition worsens.
- Have a plan. People with chronic diseases should have an adequate
supply of medications (5 days or more). Asthmatics should have a written
asthma management plan available.
- Stay alert. Look and listen for air quality alerts provided by the
AQMD in newspapers, radio and television. They are also available at
www.aqmd.gov and 1-800-CUT-SMOG. If the air quality in your area
worsens, take necessary precautions to protect your and your family’s
health.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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