Air Quality Alert #7:
Smoke from fires causing unhealthy Air Quality for all individuals in parts of LA County
LOS ANGELES - Due to several fires burning in Southern California, air quality continues to be adversely affected in several parts of Los Angeles County. According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), smoke from the Station Fire near La Caada has caused hazardous air quality in the San Gabriel Mountains and the West San Gabriel Valley. Areas of direct smoke impact include Altadena, La Caada, Flintridge, La Crescenta, Tujunga, and Sunland. The Los Angeles County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, urges all individuals in these areas, or areas where there is visible smoke or the odor of smoke, to avoid unnecessary outdoor and indoor physical exertion, such as exercise.
"In all areas of visible smoke or where there is an odor of smoke, all individuals are urged to be cautious and to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. We are also advising schools that are in session in smoke-impacted areas to suspend outside physical activities in these areas, including physical education and after-school sports, until conditions improve," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer.
Additional areas that may be impacted by smoke include: the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, Central Los Angeles County, and East San Gabriel Valley.
Non-school related sports organizations, such as Little Leagues, for children and adults are advised to cancel outdoor practices in areas where there is visible smoke, soot, or ash, or where there is an odor of smoke. This also applies to other recreational outdoor activity, such as hikes or picnics, in these areas.
Throughout Los Angeles County, sensitive individuals, such as those with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease, should follow these recommendations and stay indoors as much as possible even in areas where smoke, soot, or ash cannot be seen or there is no odor of smoke.
"It is difficult to tell where ash or soot from a wildfire will go, or how winds will affect the level of dust particles in the air, so we ask all individuals to be aware of their immediate environment and how it might affect their health," said Dr. Fielding.
People can participate in indoor sports or other strenuous activity in areas with visible smoke, soot, or ash, provided the indoor location has air conditioning that does not draw air from the outside and it has closed windows and doors to protect the cleanliness of indoor air. If not, it is recommended that all individuals follow these guidelines as if they were outside.
The following recommendations will help you protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:
- If you see or smell smoke, or see a lot of particles and ash in the air, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity to limit your exposure to harmful air. This is especially important for those with heart or lung disease (including asthma), the elderly and children.
- If outdoor air is bad, try to keep indoor air as clean as possible by keeping windows and doors closed. Air conditioners that re-circulate air within the home can help filter out harmful particles.
- Avoid using air conditioning units that only draw in air from the outside or that do not have a re-circulating option. Residents should check the filters on their air conditioners and replace them regularly.
Indoor air filtration devices with HEPA filters can further reduce the level of particles that circulate indoors.
- If it is too hot during the day to keep the doors or windows closed and you do not have an air conditioning unit that re-circulates indoor air, consider going to an air conditioned public place, such as a library or shopping center, to stay cool and to protect yourself from harmful air.
- Do not use fireplaces (either wood burning or gas), candles, and vacuums. Use damp cloths to clean dusty indoor surfaces. Do not smoke.
- If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to smoke exposure, including severe coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your doctor immediately or go to an urgent care center.
- When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them.
Wearing a mask may prevent exposures to large particles. However, most masks do not prevent exposure to fine particles and toxic gases, which may be more dangerous to your health.
To find a cooling center, call the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 or visit the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
The following is recommended for pets:
- Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
- If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath.
The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth.
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For Immediate Release:
August 28, 2009
Health Advisory:
Practice Safe Clean-Up After Fire
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Health Officer, Dr. Jonathan E.
Fielding, advises people to take precautions during clean-up following a fire. Ash, soot, dust, and other airborne particles may have been deposited inside and outside of homes and businesses. While ash from wildfires is relatively non-toxic and similar to ash that may be found in a home fireplace, it may be irritating to the skin, nose and throat.
Exposure to ash in air might trigger asthmatic attacks in people who already have asthma.
Ash Clean-up:
? Do not allow children to play in ash, especially in wet or damp
ash.
? Wash toys before children play with them.
? Bathe pets to rid them of ash.
? During clean-up, wear gloves such as household dish washing
gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
? If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or
vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
? Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use
leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.
Instead, gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor surfaces, followed by wet mopping, is the best way to clean an area with ash. A solution of bleach and water may be used to disinfect an area, if desired.
? Shop vacuums and regular household vacuum cleaners do not filter
out small particles, but instead blow such particles into the air where they can be breathed. Use of regular vacuums is not advised however HEPA-filter vacuums could be used.
? A dust mask, such as a surgical mask or a mask rated N-95, may
be worn during clean-up to avoid breathing in ash and other airborne particles.
? Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible. Use as
little water as possible when cleaning an area of ash.
? Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash by placing
it in a plastic trash bag first.
? If a job appears to be too big, hire a professional cleaning
service. There are several businesses in LA County that specialize in post-fire clean-up that may be found in the phone book. Please contact a professional if there is substantial damage or destruction to a structure.
Food Safety:
Some homeowners may find that their kitchens have ash, soot, dust, and other airborne particles. The following is advised to maintain food
safety:
? Plastic bottles of liquid, such as water, that have been covered
with ash should be discarded. It is not enough to rinse off the bottle as these particles contaminate the caps, making them very difficult to decontaminate.
? Food that has not been stored in waterproof or airtight
containers and has been covered with ash should be discarded. This includes products that have been stored in cardboard or other soft packaging.
? Food stored in sealed, previously unopened glass or metal cans
or jars, such as baby food, should be safe for use. Clean before opening and transfer the contents to another container before eating.
? For those that have experienced power outages, it is best to
throw away perishable food, such as meat, dairy products and eggs. Items that have defrosted in the freezer during a power outage should also be discarded.
The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth.
# # #
Michael Leighs, MPP
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health External Relations and Communications Emergency Preparedness Liaison
241 N. Figueroa Street, Rm 348
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Email: mleighs@ph.lacounty.gov ( mailto:mleighs@ph.lacounty.gov )
Tel: 213.250.8621
Fax: 213.250.8545
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/
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