Unhealthy haze

With wildfires burning locally and across the nation and little reprieve from the hot, dry weather in sight, it’s likely that the smoke haze is here to stay for the time being. Air quality alerts issued by the Wyoming Air Quality Division and National Weather Service covered much of Crook County over the weekend and into the beginning of this week due to the wildfire smoke drifting across the region.

The federal AirNow system has detected smoke plumes over this area over recent days and moderate to unhealthy air quality – which isn’t good news when it comes to health.

AirNow is a partnership of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control and tribal, state and local air quality agencies. It uses the official U.S. Air Quality Index to provide monitoring information nationwide.

The air quality monitor that covers this area, which is located in Gillette, shows considerable fluctuation and has occasionally shown that the air quality is good over the last week. However, it has also recorded several extended periods of moderate to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” scores during the same timeframe.

At moderate levels, air quality is considered to be acceptable, but there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. At the next level up, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects but the general public is less likely to be affected.

AirNow’s mapping system shows that the air quality issues across the northern portion of Wyoming are from moderate levels of particulate matter. This is defined by the EPA as a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, some of which can be large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye, such as dust or smoke.

The specific type of particle pollution affecting Wyoming – and much of the nation, particularly to the east – is “fine inhalable particles,” which are generally 2.5 micrometers or smaller. Fine particles are the main cause of reduced visibility in parts of the U.S. and can also be inhaled, causing health problems; at 2.5 micrometers, they are able to get deep into your lungs and even your bloodstream.

The EPA recommends that people who are at risk pay attention to air quality reports during fire season. This includes those with heart or lung disease; older adults and children, including teenagers; those with diabetes; and pregnant women.

It’s fairly easy to tell if the smoke is affecting you. Symptoms include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, phlegm, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Those with lung or heart disease, however, may experience worse symptoms. If you have heart disease, you may experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath or fatigue, while people will lung disease may find it difficult to breathe as deeply or vigorously as usual.

Protect Yourself from Particles

The EPA recommends taking steps to protect yourself when air quality is low during fire season:

If you have heart or lung conditions, speak with your healthcare provider to make plans

Invest in a supply of nonperishable foods that don’t need to be cooked, because this can add to indoor pollution levels, especially frying or broiling

Consider buying an air cleaner that can reduce particle levels indoors. Check the specifications to ensure they are the right type and size for your rooms and avoid air cleaners that generate ozone.

Consider having a supply of N-95 or P-100 face masks on hand. They can be found at many hardware and home repair stores and online. Dust and surgical masks are not sufficient to protect from the fine particles in wildfire smoke.

Take it easy during smoky periods. Avoid prolonged or vigorous outdoor activity if it looks or smells smoky outside, or if the AirNow monitor indicates air quality is low.

If you must be active outdoors, pay attention to any symptoms, which are an indication you need to reduce exposure.

If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep your home as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed (unless it’s extremely hot outside and you do not have an air conditioner), running your air conditioner while keeping the filter clean and opening windows to air out the house when air quality improves.

Try to keep particle levels down indoors by avoiding the use of anything that burns, including gas stoves and candles. Don’t vacuum, as this stirs up particles, and don’t smoke.

Create a “clean room” in your home. Choose a room with as few windows and doors as possible and no fireplace and keep a portable air cleaner in the room.