Air Quality Update for July 2, 2008

Air Quality Advisory through July 2, 2008

Placer County, CA July 2, 2008 – Smoky conditions are widespread in Placer County from the valley floor to the Lake Tahoe area. Smoke continues to impact Placer County from fires burning in Placer County and throughout Northern California. Average concentrations of fine particulates continue to fluctuate throughout the day in certain areas from very unhealthy to fair conditions.

Due to ongoing smoke generated from fires, Tom Christofk, Placer County Air Pollution Control Officer and Dr. Richard Burton, MD, Placer County’s Health Officer, are issuing an air quality advisory. If weather conditions remain the same throughout Wednesday, the Auburn, Roseville and Colfax areas should continue to see very high concentrations of PM in the morning with some improvements in the afternoon hours.

Smoke continues to impact our area and is forecast to continue as long as the wildfires continue to burn and weather conditions do not significantly change, which at this time appears to be at least until Wednesday. Residents are reminded to take common-sense precautions as Placer County will continue to be affected. If visibility is poor in your area, then you should strongly consider postponing outdoor activities until later in the day or when conditions improve.

Scientific studies have linked the fine particles associated with smoke with a variety of significant health problems. Symptoms include eye irritation, throat irritation, and coughing. People with existing heart and lung disease, including asthma, may experience heightened symptoms. They should monitor their health and consult with their health care provider should their symptoms worsen. Even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms in smoky conditions. Seek medical help if you experience symptoms that worsen or become severe.

Dr. Burton and Christofk urge residents to keep in mind the following recommendations when they are in smoky conditions:

• Healthy people should delay outdoor strenuous exercise.
• Children and elderly people should avoid outdoor activities, particularly prolonged outdoor exertion.
• People with specific illnesses, particularly respiratory problems, should remain indoors.
• Using paper mask filters, which are not capable of filtering extra-fine smoke particles, and which restrict airflow, is not recommended.
• Stay inside with doors and windows shut. Use the recycle or recirculate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. Avoid cooking and vacuuming, which can increase pollutants indoors.
• Asthmatics should follow their asthma-management plans.
• Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. This is important for not only people with chronic lung or heart disease, but also for individuals who have not been previously diagnosed with such illnesses. Smoke can “unmask” or produce symptom of such diseases.
• Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth can also help relieve dryness.

Use the following index to assess the air quality based on the visibility in a given area:

• Face away from the sun. Determine visibility range by looking for targets that are at known distances (miles).
• The visible range is the point where even high-contrast objects disappear.
• After determining visibility in miles use the following Wildfire Smoke Visibility Index to assess air quality.

Visibility Range	Health Category	Cautionary Statements
10+ miles	Good	None
5 – 10 miles	Moderate	Usually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
3 – 5 miles	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	Sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1.5 – 2.5 miles	Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
1 – 1.25 miles	Very Unhealthy	Sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
<0.75 miles	Hazardous	Sensitive people should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Everyone else should avoid all physical activity outdoors.

Information will be updated and posted to the District Web site as available at www.placer.ca.gov. For general air quality information go to www.sparetheair.com.

Following is the Air Quality Index table for Particle Pollution for reference.

Air Quality Index (AQI)