Friday, August 24, 2007

Smoke causes worst air quality in years

Otter and Stennett order monitoring for valley


By JENNIFER TUOHY
Express Staff Writer

The thick blanket of smoke covering the valley each morning and evening is a serious health concern, according to an Air Quality Advisory issued by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Thursday.

To date, St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center has reported no smoke-related admissions. However, the recent back-burning activity at the Castle Rock Fire has only added to the already heavy smoke load in the valley, making the past two days some of the worst air quality the valley has experienced.

"(Wednesday) was probably one of the worst days for air quality in your area for many years," said Steve VanZandt of the Idaho DEQ, based in Twin Falls.

As there is no air quality monitoring equipment in the Wood River Valley, VanZandt is currently determining the level for concern based on visibility.

"The Hailey airport was reporting two-mile visibility on Wednesday morning," said VanZandt. "It was bad. That's 'unhealthy' on the Air Quality Index scale."

The Air Quality Index Visibility Range table determines whether the air quality is Good (10 miles visibility or better), Moderate (5-10 miles), Unhealthy for Sensitive People (3-5 miles), Unhealthy (1.5-3 miles), Very Unhealthy (1 mile) or Hazardous (less than one mile).

An unhealthy reading recommends that everyone should limit outdoor exertion and those with pre-existing heart and lung diseases, the elderly and children should avoid outdoor exertion altogether.

The health concerns associated with an unhealthy reading warn that respiratory effects are likely in all population segments, and increased aggravation of pre-existing conditions, as well as death, is possible amongst the most sensitive populations.

However, VanZandt's unhealthy reading for Wednesday was based solely on the Visibility Range. That range is not as accurate as mechanical air quality monitoring, which measures the level of particulate matter in the air.

Particulate matter is the major health concern associated with wildfire smoke, more so than the high presence of such toxic gases as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Particles from smoke tend to be very small and can be inhaled into the deepest recesses of the lungs.

On Wednesday, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and state Sen. Clint Stennett determined that the Wood River Valley needed more sophisticated air quality reading in place during this emergency. A portable air quality monitor is currently on its way from Coeur D'Alene and is expected to arrive today.

"(With the monitor) we'll be able to get a better idea of the real time air quality situation and the level of particulate matter in the air," said VanZandt.

"However, I think this will be a long standing air quality advisory. Until these fires get put out, you're going to have lasting impacts in the evenings and early mornings," said VanZandt.

"The best gauge is your own senses and the visibility, and whether you're feeling adverse health effects," said VanZandt. "It will be case by case and highly variable."

For more information on smoke-related health recommendations, visit stlukesonline.org or call 727-8200. To determine the visibility range in the valley, call 788-2108 (updated hourly).




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