|
News Release
For release: October 29, 2007 Contacts: AIR POLLUTION ADVISORY Citizens asked to reduce wood burning to protect health (Note to local news media: This is an Air Pollution Advisory issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) and the Lane Regional Air Pollution Agency (LRAPA). Please help by communicating this health-based air quality message to citizens who may have increased sensitivity to air pollution. Individuals who have breathing problems may feel the effects of higher-than-normal pollution levels.)
Due to rising pollution levels related to stagnant weather conditions, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) and the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) have issued an Air Pollution Advisory for southwest Washington and the entire Willamette Valley. Stagnant conditions are expected to persist through Friday and may continue into next week if current weather conditions don’t improve.
According to the National Weather Service in Portland, the area is experiencing light winds and dry, cold air in combination with low overnight temperatures. These weather conditions create inversions that keep fine particles from wood smoke and vehicle exhaust trapped at ground level, particularly during the evening and early morning hours. These microscopic particles can be inhaled deeply into lungs and damage delicate lung tissues.
Higher than usual pollution levels may cause health problems for sensitive individuals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greatest risk from particulate pollution and should consider restricting their outdoor activities beginning early in the evening and through mid-morning until the weather changes. People with asthma or other breathing problems or heart conditions should follow their health care provider’s advice for taking care of themselves.
DEQ expects to see highest levels of pollution in the evening when people are using wood stoves. These higher levels typically persist into the early morning hours.
This type of wintertime air pollution comes mainly from wood smoke. Diesel engines, cars and trucks are also sources. To protect the health of those who are more sensitive to air pollution, DEQ is asking citizens in the affected areas to avoid using fireplaces and woodstoves unless absolutely necessary, refrain from outdoor burning, and limit driving and vehicle idling. The advisory will be in effect until stagnant weather conditions change.
If burning wood is your only source of heat, burn hot fires using dry wood to lessen pollution.
For more information about smoke pollution, visit the DEQ Web site at: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/index.htm.
To see current pollution levels in Oregon, visit the DEQ Web site at http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx. |
| |
|
|