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Plumas County Air Quality Advisory PDF Print Email
Plumas County Public Health Agency          270 County Hospital Road, Quincy, California 95971 Mimi Hall, MPH, CHES, Director___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release:        July 11, 2008                            

 

Contact:                                   Lori Pini, Health Education Specialist                530-283-6988                        

Air Quality Advisory for July 11 until further update

 

Air quality conditions in some areas of Plumas County have degraded considerably over the last 48 hours. Plumas County Public Health Agency (PCPHA) and Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) continue to advise residents of Air Quality Index levels ranging from “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy” levels in some areas of the county.  Residents should also keep in mind that air pollution levels from the fires can change radically within hours, depending on fire and weather conditions.

People should use this general rule of thumb:  If you can see and smell smoke around you, you are most likely being exposed to unhealthy smoked levels.  The more smoke you see and smell, the more unhealthy the exposure.  Sensitive groups for which smoky conditions can be unhealthy are: young children, the elderly, those with heart conditions, and anyone with respiratory ailments such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.  We urge these residents in particular to take precautions whenever smoke is present, though all residents should use common sense.     What to do if there when there is smoke present:

·        Stay inside with windows and doors shut.

·        Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car.

·        Avoid cooking and vacuuming, which can increase pollutants indoors.

·        Avoid physical exertion.

·        Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan.

·        Keep at least a five-day supply of medication on hand.

·        Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. This is important for not only for people with chronic lung or heart disease, but also for individuals who have not been previously diagnosed with such illnesses. Smoke can “unmask” or produce symptoms of such diseases.

·        Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth can also help relieve dryness.

·        A fitted respirator (NIOSH certified N95 or P100) can be used to reduce smoke exposure unless it interferes with breathing. Common dust masks are generally ineffective with smoke.

 

For information on fire conditions and local air quality updates, please visit www.countyofplumas.com.