KLAMATH COUNTY AIR QUALITY OUTLOOK FOR TODAY SUNDAY AUGUST 3, 2014
Klamath Falls, Or. – Public
Health officials urge Klamath County residents to take precautions as the air
quality reaches potentially unhealthy levels. The air quality index, a 24-hour
average of pollution levels, at 10:30 am was 34.1, meaning moderate air
conditions for all groups (see U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s scale for
rating air quality below).
The Oregon Gulch Fire and
Wildfires from Northern California are not contained, and appear to be sending
smoke into Klamath Falls, Sprague River and Chiloquin. Hourly smoke
concentrations remain moderate to high. With the arrival of winds from
the north last night and today the smoke levels have been reduced to
moderate levels and are expected to stay moderate throughout the day.
Klamath County Public Health is
advising residents in Spargue River, Chiloquin, and Klamath Falls to follow the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and urge local
residents to take the following precautions to avoid breathing problems or
other symptoms from smoke:
·
Check local
Air Quality Index for information about conditions.
·
Reduce the
amount of time spent outdoors. This
can usually provide some protection, especially in a tightly closed,
air-conditioned house in which the air conditioner can be set to re-circulate
air instead of bringing in outdoor air. Staying inside with the doors and
windows closed can usually reduce exposure.
·
Avoid
strenuous outdoor activity.
·
Reduce other
sources of indoor air pollution. Some
indoor sources of air pollution can emit large amounts of the same pollutants
present in wildfire smoke. Indoor sources such as burning cigarettes, gas,
propane and woodburning stoves and furnaces, and activities such as cooking,
burning candles, and vacuuming can greatly increase the particle levels in a
home. These sources of indoor air pollution should be avoided when wildfire
smoke is present.
·
Do not rely on
dust masks for protection. Paper
“comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to
trap large particles, but will not offer protection from smoke. An “N95” mask
work properly will offer some protection.
Individuals with lung diseases such as asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease should follow their health care provider’s advice
about prevention and treatment of symptoms. When smoke levels are high enough,
even healthy people may experience symptomRemember, local smoke levels can rise
and fall rapidly, depending on weather factors including wind direction. People
can conduct a visual assessment of smoke levels to quickly get a sense of air
quality levels and take precautions. If people have additional concerns, they
should contact the nearest local public health agency for the latest in threats
to health conditions from smoke.
To check current air quality
conditions:
The
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's scale for rating air quality
- The data displayed are the most
current available.
- All readings are preliminary
and unvalidated. Following final review, all values are subject to change.
- New AQI readings will be
available at approximately 15-20 minutes past the hour. The AQI map will
refresh asynchronously at this time.
The units ppm and µg/m3 stand for parts
per million and micrograms per cubic meter, respectively. Both are
used in the measurement of air pollutant concentration.
|
Air
Quality
Rating |
Air
Quality Index (AQI)
|
PM2.5
1-hour Average (µg/m3)
|
PM2.5
24-hour Average (µg/m3)
|
Ozone
8-hour Average (ppm)
|
|
GOOD
|
0 - 50
|
0.0 - 40.4
|
0.0 - 12.0
|
0.000 - 0.059
|
|
MODERATE
|
51 - 100
|
40.5 - 80.4
|
12.1 - 35.4
|
0.060 - 0.075
|
|
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS
|
101 - 150
|
80.5 - 175.4
|
35.5 - 55.4
|
0.076 - 0.095
|
|
UNHEALTHY
|
151 - 200
|
175.5 - 300.4
|
55.5 - 150.4
|
0.096 - 0.115
|
|
VERY UNHEALTHY
|
201 - 300
|
300.5 - 500.4
|
150.5 - 250.4
|
0.116 - 0.374
|
|
HAZARDOUS
|
>300
|
>500.5
|
>250.5
|
>0.375
|
|
Table
1. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the EPA's scale for rating air
qualit
|
||||
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