To combat public health effects of poor air quality from wildfires, agencies issue information

Press release from Buncombe County Health and Human Services:

A large amount of wildfire smoke from local wildfires is causing unhealthy levels of air quality in Buncombe County. Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) wants residents to know what they can do to stay healthy during periods of poor air quality.

Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It can make you cough and wheeze, and can make it hard to breathe.  Poor air quality can trigger heart attacks, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms—especially in people who are already at risk for these conditions.   Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, BCHHS Medical Director, urges residents to monitor their health when air quality is poor saying, “With the current air quality level in the “unhealthy” range in the Asheville area, even healthy people may experience symptoms. Everyone should limit their time spent outdoors. Wildfire smoke can be particularly dangerous for children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease. Individuals in these sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity at this time. If you have shortness of breath, fits of coughing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness or chest pain, you should contact your healthcare provider or dial 911.”

Those at risk include:

• People with heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or asthma may experience health effects earlier and at lower smoke levels than healthy people.
• Older adults and children are more likely to be affected by smoke.

How to tell if smoke is affecting you:

• Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse.
• People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing these symptoms.

What Actions to Take:

• If you have asthma or other kinds of lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor’s directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
• Follow local air quality reports to stay alert to any health warnings related to smoke by visiting www.airnow.gov. You can sign up for air quality text alerts through www.enviroflash.org.
• The most effective methods of reducing your exposure to the wildfire smoke including staying indoors, reducing activity, and keeping the indoor air as clean as possible.
• If you must be outdoors when air quality is unhealthy, a special mask called a “particulate respirator” can help protect your lungs from the fine particles found in wildfire smoke.  Paper “comfort” or “dust” masks will not protect you from wildfire smoke.  Choose a mask called a “particulate respirator” that has the word “NIOSH” and either “P95” or “N100” printed on it. Follow instructions included with the respirator to get a good fit.
• If you have a heart or lung problem, ask your doctor before using a mask. Know the signs of a heart attack or stroke.  Get help quickly if you experience discomfort in your chest or other parts of your upper body, or have cold sweats, nausea, or light-headedness.
• Use FASTto identify signs of stroke:

o   Face- ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

o   Arm- ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

o   Speech- Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred?

o   Time- if you observe these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Questions about air quality can be directed to WNC Air Quality at (828) 250-6777.  If you are experiencing any symptoms that are new or unusual, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Press release from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality:

Air quality officials have issued an advisory for air pollution in western North Carolina on Monday and Tuesday as smoke from numerous wildfires blankets the region. Residents throughout the mountains and foothills of North Carolina could experience unhealthy air quality, depending on wind directions.

About 15 wildfires covering 44,000 acres of land are burning in western North Carolina, and smoke from those fires can contain high levels of air pollution.  Residents throughout the area could be exposed to Code Red (unhealthy) or Code Purple (very unhealthy) levels of particle pollution.

The state Division of Air Quality and the U.S. Forest Service have set up a number of special mobile air monitors throughout the region, along with permanent air monitors in Asheville, Bryson City, Hickory and other locations.  These monitors have measured unhealthy to very unhealthy levels of air pollution in smoke downwind of wildfires. The primary pollutant of concern is fine particles, which are extremely small particles and liquid droplets in the air. Particles can be harmful to breathe and contribute to haze and other air quality problems.

“People should be aware of air quality in their area, as conditions can vary widely,” said Mike Abraczinskas, deputy director of the division. “If you observe low visibility due to smoke, then the air is probably unhealthy to breathe and you should limit your time outdoors.”

The national air quality standard for fine particles is 35 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over 24 hours. A number of air quality monitors in the mountains and the foothills regions have exceeded the standard, in some locations for much of the past week.

High particle levels can impair breathing and aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems, and irritate the lungs in healthy individuals. People with chronic lung ailments and children should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity.

For Tuesday, forecasters have predicted Code Purple, or very unhealthy conditions, for the southwestern most part of the state (Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Macon counties). Code Red conditions, or unhealthy, are forecasted for much of mountains and some of the foothills.  Code Orange conditions, or unhealthy for sensitive groups, are forecasted for the northern mountains, much of the foothills and the Western Piedmont, including Charlotte. See the air quality forecast map for more details.

The forecast means everyone in these areas should avoid or reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, and sensitive groups should avoid any activity outside. Sensitive groups include the elderly, children, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those with heart conditions and respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing or aggravating heart and lung diseases. People most susceptible to particle pollution include those with heart and respiratory conditions, the elderly and young children. Symptoms of exposure to high particle levels include: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest pain or tightness; shortness of breath; and asthma attacks. In extreme cases, particle pollution can cause premature death.

The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues daily air forecasts for the Triangle, Charlotte, Asheville, Hickory, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount metropolitan areas. In the Triad, forecasts are issued by the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection. For more information, visit www.ncair.org or https://www.facebook.com/NCAQFC/