7/30/2013 Chelan/Douglas County Health District News Release- Air Quality Advisory

News Release

For Immediate Release:   July 30, 2013        

  

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY

 Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations

 Nearly everyone likes to spend time outdoors on warm sunny days, but poor air quality can harm people with heart and lung disease. The Air Quality Index throughout the Wenatchee area is measuring as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Populations”.   Conditions will vary throughout our two-county area as the wildfire smoke moves through the area with the prevailing winds.

During these conditions, individuals with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema, the elderly, and children should avoid outdoor activity, remain indoors with windows and doors closed, avoid excessive exertion, and avoid exposure to tobacco smoke or other respiratory irritants. 

Air conditioning units should be set on “recycle” mode to reduce introduction of contaminated outdoor air.  People without air conditioning need to take precautions against heat stress and should consider temporarily relocating to an area with better air quality. 

Members of the general population may also begin to feel adverse affects from poor air quality and should consider following these same precautions.  Adverse symptoms may include dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, coughing, excessive phlegm, and nausea.  For specific medical advice please contact your physician.

More information is available concerning air quality and current fire conditions at the following websites:

Ecology:                               https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

Forest Service: http://inciweb.org/

Real-time webcams:      www.wenworld.com