Wintertime Pollution Advisories

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It is common for the Willamette Valley region to experience inversion conditions that trap fine particle pollution near the ground. DEQ issues an air pollution advisory when pollution levels rise and we expect an inversion to persist for more than 48 hours. This advisory is primarily a health message to protect sensitive individuals from adverse impacts from air pollution.

We are very concerned about people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children because they are at greater risk from particles than other people, especially when they are physically active. Exercise and physical activity cause people to breathe faster and more deeply and to take more pollution into their lungs.

Symptoms people might experience

• People with heart disease could experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest tightness.
• People with asthma or other lung problems may experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, bronchitis and increased asthma attacks.
• Since older adults are more likely to have preexisting lung and heart diseases, they may be more susceptible to health effects from exposure to particle pollution.
• Children are susceptible to air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they are often engaged in vigorous outdoor activities, making them more sensitive to pollution than healthy adults. Children with pre-existing illness or chronic conditions are at higher risk.
• People who smoke, especially those who have smoked for many years, generally have reduced lung function and may be affected by dust and smoke exposure. Smokers are also less likely to recognize and report symptoms from exposure to irritant chemicals than nonsmokers.

Protect yourself

• Don't exercise late at night or in the early morning hours. This is when particle pollution peaks. We expect to see good or moderate levels during the day.
• If you have heart or lung diseases make sure you have adequate medication on hand. If you have asthma, follow your asthma management plan.
• If you have symptoms of heart or lung disease like shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, or unusual fatigue, contact your health care provider.

Almost all fine particle pollution comes from combustion sources including woodstoves and fireplaces, cars and trucks and diesel engines. Particle pollution peaks in the late night and early morning hours. This is when nighttime inversions trap pollutants at the earth’s surface. When DEQ issues an air quality advisory, we generally see unhealthy levels in the late night and early morning and then good or moderate levels for much of the day.

As the day warms up, the inversion tends to lessen or break allowing the pollution to mix out into cleaner air. But when we have inversions for several days pollution builds up and we start seeing persistently higher levels.

Help reduce pollution

You can help reduce pollution by not using your fireplace or wood stove during an air quality advisory. If this is your only source of heat, you can still help by burning only dry wood in hot fires. Another way to help is to drive less. For more information see EPA's brochure on Particle Pollution and Your Health.

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