Today's alerts in Sacramento
At 1 p.m., PM2.5 levels have reached Unhealthy levels in the Sacramento region due to wildfires in central and northern California. These Unhealthy PM2.5 levels are expected to continue through tomorrow.
Everyone should avoid outdoor activities if you can see or smell smoke, even if you’re healthy
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke
To monitor current air quality conditions, please visit
www.SpareTheAir.com
Smoke-Related Health Statement
Sacramento, CA 6/23/08 – Smoke continues to impact the Sacramento region due to fires burning throughout Northern California.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Quality Management District in consultation with Sacramento County Health Officer Glennah Trochet, M.D., is advising residents to take precautions and consider restricting outside activities.
If you smell or see smoke, individuals should consider taking the following actions:
Everyone should avoid outdoor activities if you can see or smell smoke, even if you’re healthy
Children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions should be particularly careful to avoid exposure
Stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke
Those with heart disease should especially limit their smoke exposure since PM can cause heart attacks
“Smoke can affect anyone, but it’s especially harmful to people who have existing breathing problems, like seniors or anyone suffering from asthma or emphysema,” said Glennah Trochet M.D., Sacramento County Health Officer. “The fine particles in smoke can obstruct the airways, making it harder to breathe and reducing oxygen intake,” she said.
And from sparetheair.com, people most susceptible to health problems from air polution include you.
Overall Health Effects
Many of us experience some kind of air pollution-related symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Even for healthy people, polluted air can cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Your actual risk depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air. People most susceptible to severe health problems from air pollution are:
Individuals with heart disease – such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure
Individuals with lung disease – such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pregnant women
Outdoor workers
Children under age 14, whose lungs are still developing
Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors
TT
I did not ride today and will not ride tomorrow. But forecasts have the smoke clearing by Wednesday.
