| Oct. 24, 2007
Schools Urged to Curtail Outdoor Activities in Areas Affected by Smoke
Although strong Santa Ana winds are expected to subside today, widespread
wildfires and smoke from them will continue to create unhealthful air
quality conditions across the Southland today.
As a result, air quality officials again urge everyone to take
precautions to protect themselves from the adverse health effects of
wildfire smoke. Specifically they recommend that:
- everyone should avoid all vigorous exertion, indoors or out;
- residents with heart disease, respiratory diseases including asthma,
as well as the elderly and children should remain indoors;
- keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside. In
these cases, seek alternate shelter; and
- turn on an air conditioner if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake
closed and the filter clean to minimize outdoor smoke entering the house.
Air quality officials especially urge schools, day care centers and
sports coaches to not allow children to exercise – whether outdoors or
inside – during unhealthful air quality conditions.
Wildfire smoke contains numerous pollutants including microscopic
particles known as PM10 and PM2.5. Air quality studies during wildfires
have shown that PM10 and PM2.5 can reach significant concentrations inside
homes in smoke-impacted areas.
As the strong Santa Ana condition subsides, smoke that has been blown
over the ocean could be brought back by sea breezes and recirculated through
the region during the next several days, air quality officials said.
For a printable fact sheet containing tips to avoid health impacts from
the smoke, see
http://www.aqmd.gov/pubinfo/factsheets.htm on AQMD’s website.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
-#-
|
