SAN DIEGO- OCTOBER 2007 County of San Diego in an Emergency! This info is available in SPANISH ...A Cloud of Ashes Advance Over San Diego
....“Smoke rolls into town, blanketing the county, turning on street lights, creating an eerie and choking fog. Switch boards light up as people look for answers. Citizens want to know what they should do to protect themselves. Schools want to know if practices should be cancelled. The media wants to know how dangerous the smoke really is. To provide the accurate information is the result of a collaborative effort that brought together scientists, air quality specialists and public health professionals from national, state and local agencies. ... ....“San Diego County official issue a Health Alert on October 21, advising people to stay indoors to minimize exposure to pollution from smoke. Pollution from fire smoke will pose breathing hazards for many days after the fires are put out. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District (APCD) advises the public to avoid all outdoor physical exertion, and try to remain indoors if at all possible in those areas most affected by the smoke. APCD Forecast - The San Diego Air Pollution Control District air quality forecast on Sunday, Oct. 21, was from Moderate to Unhealthful air pollution throughout the day. Due to the severe fires in San Diego County, APCD communication with its monitoring sites has been intermittent and incomplete. For the sake of safety and public health, APCD is assuming that all members of the public are breathing air that is unhealthful due to particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, also known as PM2.5 For the public, the APCD has recorded 24-hour message about air quality levels at 858-650-4777 and for more information and the quality of air up date visit: http://www.sdapcd.org Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. When inhaled, these particles evade the respiratory system’s natural defenses and lodge deep in the lungs. Health problems for sensitive people can get worse if they are exposed to high levels of PM for several days in a row. ...Composition of Smoke ....“Smoke is made up primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and other organics, nitrogen oxides and trace minerals. The composition of smoke varies with fuel type: different wood and vegetation are composed of varying amounts of cellulose, lignin, tannins and other polyphenolics, oils, fats, resins, waxes and starches which produce different compounds when burned. In general, particulate matter is the major pollutant of concern from wildfire smoke. Hazardous air pollutants are present in smoke, but in far less concentrations than particulate and carbon monoxide. The most common are acrolein, benezene and formaldehyde.Three air toxics are of most concern from wildfires: ....“1. Acrolein. Acrolein is released to the air as a result of manufacturing processes, through incomplete combustion of petroleum fuels, as a component of cigarette smoke, and as a photooxidation product of hydrocarbon pollutants. Combustion of fuels represents a major source of emissions of acrolein to the atmosphere.An aldehyde with a piercing, choking odor. Even at low levels, acrolein can severely irritate the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include stinging and tearing eyes, nausea and vomiting. ...Health effects of smoke ....“The effects of smoke run from irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract to more serious disorders, including asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function and premature death. Studies have found that fine particulate matter is linked (alone or with other pollutants) with a number of significant respiratory and cardiovascular-related effects, including increased mortality and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. In addition, airborne particles are respiratory irritants, and laboratory studies show that high concentrations of particulate matter cause persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing and physical discomfort in breathing. Particulate matter can also alter the body’s immune system and affect removal of foreign materials from the lung, like pollen and bacteria. Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reduces oxygen delivery to the body’s organs and tissues. The health threat from lower levels of CO is most serious for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease. At higher levels, carbon monoxide exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, visual impairment, reduced work capacity, and reduced manual dexterity even in otherwise healthy individuals. At even higher levels (seldom associated solely with a fire), carbon monoxide can be deadly. People exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health problems. However, in general, it is believed that the long term risk from toxic air pollutants from forest fire smoke is very low. Some components of smoke, such as many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are carcinogenic. Probably the most carcinogenic is benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), which has been demonstrated to increase in toxicity when mixed with carbon particulate. Other components, such as the aldehydes, are acute irritants. ...Sensitive populations ....“Most healthy adults will recover quickly from smoke exposures and will not suffer long-term consequences. However, certain sensitive populations may experience more severe acute and chronic symptoms from smoke exposure. Much of the information about how particulate effects these groups has come from studies done on urban particulate. More research is needed (and some of it is underway) to determine if particulate from wildfires affects these groups differently. Who is most at risk? • Children (they breathe more often, so exposure is heavier) Symptoms to watch for: → Wheezing Special advisory to people on medication: * If you are on oxygen, do not alter your intake without a doctor’s instruction. Individuals with asthma, and other respiratory diseases. ....“Levels of pollutants which may not interfere with normal breathing affect people with asthma in more profound ways, causing greater inflammation or constriction of airways. Asthma, derived from the ancient Greek word for panting, is a chronic condition in which the airways temporarily become impeded, causing labored breathing, wheezing or coughing. During an asthma attack, the muscles tighten around the airways,constricting the free exchange of air. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen. Children’s airways are narrower than those of adults, thus irritation that would produce only a slight response in an adult can result in significant obstruction in the airways of a young child. Older people with asthma experience higher mortality rates from asthma than other age groups. Individuals with cardiovascular diseases. ....“Cardiovascular diseases include many ailments, such as hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, angina pectoris, heart attacks and strokes. It is the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for about 42% of all deaths each year. The vast majority of those deaths are in people over the age of 65. Studies have linked particulate pollution to increased heart attacks and symptoms in those with cardiovascular disease. The exact toxicological mechanisms are not well understood, but studies show that particulate matter causes respiratory symptoms, changes in lung function, alteration of mucociliary clearance and pulmonary inflammation that can lead to increased permeability of the lungs. This, in turn, can cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs. Mediators released during an inflammatory response could increase the risk of blood clot formation and strokes. Other studies have shown that the particles may trigger certain neurons in the respiratory tract, leading to effects on the nervous system. Caring for our Children ....“Children’s airways are narrower than those of adults, thus irritation that would produce only a slight response in an adult can result in significant obstruction in the airways of a young child. Children, even those without any preexisting conditions, are considered a sensitive population because their lungs are still developing, making them more susceptible to environmental threats than healthy adults. Several factors lead to increased exposure in children: compared to adults, they tend to spend more time outside; they engage in about three times the vigorous activity, and they breathe about 50% more air per pound of body weight. Studies have shown that particulate pollution is associated with increased respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function in children, including symptoms such as aggravated coughing and difficulty or pain in breathing. These can result in school absences and limitation in normal childhood activities. The Elderly Care. ....“Older people with asthma experience higher mortality rates from asthma than other age groups and the vast majority death due to cardiovascular diseases are in people over the age of 65. Studies estimate that tens of thousands of elderly people die prematurely each year from exposure to particulate pollution. Part of that is due to the fact that the elderly are more likely to have pre-existing lung and heart diseases. In addition, the elderly seem to be more affected than other age groups because we lose important respiratory defense mechanisms as we age. Older individuals tend to have more difficulty clearing particles from their lungs. As a result, pollutants to irritate the lungs for longer periods of time and can cause more damage. In addition, particulate pollution can compromise the immune system, increasing the susceptibility to bacterial or viral respiratory infections. This can lead to an increase incidence of pneumonia and other complications among the elderly. When to go to emergency or call the doctor? ....“When suffering actual breathing difficulty such as wheezing or shortness of breath. If you or a loved one experiences breathing problems, call your doctor or visit the emergency room. It’s natural to experience watery eyes, stuffy or drippy nose, even a cough. Those are not emergencies, if you are a normally healthy adult. Treat with over-the-counter decongestants, cough medicine, nasal spray, etc. On the other hand, if these symptoms are being experienced by a person in the specific risk groups named above, medical attention could be necessary. A Message to the Smokers ....“People who smoke have already compromised their lung function. Exposure to high levels of particulate can exacerbate their condition, leading to chest pain, trouble breathing and other respiratory symptoms more quickly than in non-smokers. As a way to put smoking in context, in a 10’ by 13’ room with an 8’ ceiling, it takes only 10 minutes for the side stream smoke of 4 cigarettes to create ambient levels of particulate in the hazardous ranges (644 ug/m3). The American Lung Association Advice to Everyone:
..* Stay indoors * Take it easy * Drink plenty of fluids * If you have lung or heart problems, run the air conditioner or indoor air filter system (we are mindful of SDG&E’s call for electricity conservation, but those in risk groups need clean air) SOURCE: This article is made in part from an excerpt from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Publication: "Wildfire Smoke A Guide for Public Health Officials" Compiled by Shannon Therriault, R.S., Air Quality Specialist Missoula City-County Health Department, 301 West Alder, Missoula, MT 59802. (406) 523-4755. therriaults@ho.missoula.mt.us |
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Salud+HealthInfo is for information and educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned abut your health or that of a child, please consult your family's physician or health provider immediately and do not try to diagnose yourself. Salud+Health Info is published and distributed free of charge by Info Option Network (ION) Publishing Company. Copyright © 2001-2007 Info Option Network |
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San Diego Taking Steps to recover The American Lung Association of California recommends thoroughly wetting dust and soot from the fires instead of using leaf blowers for cleaning up after smoky wildfires. Continued Be Prepared to Evacuate! Be Ready! FEMA Advice on Evacuation Plans- When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations. Continued Evacuation Centers For the latest information, please visit County of San Diego Emergency Homepage AIR QUALITY County APCD Forecast - The San Diego Air Pollution Control District air quality forecast on Sunday, Oct. 21, was from Moderate to Unhealthful air pollution throughout the day. Due to the severe fires in San Diego County, APCD communication with its monitoring sites has been intermittent and incomplete. For the sake of safety and public health, APCD is assuming that all members of the public are breathing air that is unhealthful due to particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, also known as PM2.5 For the public, the APCD has recorded 24-hour message about air quality levels at 858-650-4777 and for more information and the quality of air up date visit: http://www.sdapcd.org Resources for Lung Diseases information The American Lung Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties is your community resource for lung disease prevention, research & education. During regular business hours call 1-800-LUNG-USA . For more information about air pollution , what you can do about it and online information go to http://www.lungsandiego.org |
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Particulate is a general term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Particulate from smoke tends to be very small (less than one micron in diameter) and, as a result, is more of a health concern than the coarser particles that typically make up road dust. Particulate matter from wood smoke has a size range near the wavelength of visible light (0.4 – 0.7 micrometers). This makes the particles excellent scatterers of light and, therefore, excellent reducers of visibility. 
