HOSPITAL CORNER

By Sean Russell

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the smoke will have cleared, and our blue skies returned. This past weekend the air quality was an astounding 430 on a scale of 0-500; 0 being clear, healthy air and 301-500 being hazardous. Unfortunately, the smoke in the air right now isn't from our campfires or BBQs. The smoke in our valley contains the micro particles (pollution) of everything the fire(s) have destroyed; Trees, brush, grass, houses, buildings, cars, tires, equipment, etc...Think about all the things in your garage or shop right now; if it was on fire, would you want to breathe the smoke? But it's in the air all around us right now. So, what can you do about it?

Check the air quality before going out, avoid going outside when the air quality is above 151 (unhealthy). If you must go outside on a bad day (151+), consider wearing a mask to filter the air and keep the micro particles from reaching your lungs. Also, check and change your HVAC filter and your vehicle's cabin filter often. There is a good chance, by now they're pretty bad. But, remember this filter is full of harmful micro particles you absolutely don't want to breathe, so where a mask when you do. For more information, see below and visit airnow.gov

Help reduce particle pollution

Particle pollution, also called particulate matter or PM, is a mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air. Some particles are released directly from a specific source, while others form in complicated chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Particles come in a wide range of sizes. Particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is less than the width of a single human hair.

Coarse dust particles (PM10) are 2.5 to 10 micrometers in diameter. Sources include crushing or grinding operations and dust stirred up by vehicles on roads

Fine particles (PM2.5) are 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and can only be seen with an electron microscope. Fine particles are produced from all types of combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, forest fires, agricultural burning, and some industrial processes

HEALTH EFFECTS

People with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children are most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may feel temporary symptoms if you are exposed to high levels of particle pollution. Numerous scientific studies connect particle pollution exposure to a variety of health issues, including:

•irritation of the eyes, nose and throat

•coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath

•reduced lung function

•irregular heartbeat–asthma attacks–heart attacks

Sources: USEPA, & airnow.gov