Health district issues air quality advisory
Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald A haze was visible over Moses Lake and Grant County Wednesday because of regional wildfires. Grant County issued a burn ban Wednesday.
MOSES LAKE — Smoke from wildfires to the north and south have prompted the Grant County Health District to issue an air quality advisory.
“Poor air quality and wildfire smoke can impact people with asthma and other lung diseases, as well as children and older adults,” said a press release from the health district. “Levels of pollutants that may not affect healthy people may cause breathing difficulties for these people.”
Health district officials recommended checking on children, senior citizens and family and friends with breathing problems when poor air quality conditions are present. People also should minimize the use of indoor air pollutants like candles and incense. Outdoor activities should be avoided when air quality is poor.
It’s possible to use landmarks to determine air quality, the press release said. “The visible range is the point at which even high-contrast objects (like a dark building or water tower viewed against the sky at noon) totally disappear.” People should choose a landmark whose distance is known, or they can determine distances through a website like Grant County Mapsifter.
Moderate air quality is considered 5 to 10-mile visibility. People who have compromised respiratory systems – conditions like asthma, respiratory infections, heart or lung disease or who have experienced a stroke – should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, like walking instead of running.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.
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