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October 2007
Air Quality Health Advisory
From Ventura County Public Health
Oxnard – October 21, 2007 – As the Ranch Fire continues burning out of control northeast of Piru, air quality in many areas of Ventura County will be affected.
Smoke and ash is present in our county’s air and may remain for days to come. When the air appears to be clear, there may be a resumption of normal activities unless and until there is evidence that inapparent pollution is having a negative impact on your health. County health officials caution residents who develop a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, exhaustion, light-headedness, or chest pain with increased activity, to stop that activity immediately. The effected person should seek medical attention.
When it is obvious that there is smoke in the air, county health officials continue to recommend that even healthy adults and children avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. Levels of particulates in the smoke may be high enough that the potential exists for even healthy people to be affected. If smoke is present:
- When inside, keep doors, windows, and heating and air conditioning systems closed.
- Table, ceiling and pedestal fans should be used for cooling where possible.
- Window fans should be avoided.
In balance, as indoor temperatures rise, it is appropriate to use air conditioning units for comfort. Some air conditioning units have a “recirculation” option that should be used in order to avoid drawing air from the outside. If smoke is present, it will be easier to breathe indoors if air is recirculating instead of drawing in smoky air. Most air conditioning units without a “recirculation” setting still draw about two-thirds of their air from the indoors and only about one-third of their air from outdoors.
Smoke irritates the eyes, nose and throat and may be harmful to breathe. This may pose a special risk to adults and children with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other respiratory diseases and heart disease. In spite of the increased level of the smoke, people with chronic lung disease or heart disease may still be comfortable if the above steps are taken.
However, at the first sign of discomfort, individuals should be quick to either relocate to another area where there is not smoke or, if they feel ill, see a physician immediately. It is particularly important for patients who benefit from inhaled medications to make sure that their medications are up to date, that they have at least a five-day supply on hand and that they have their inhalers with them at all times. Individuals with asthma should consult their physician about an asthma management plan and maintain it during smoky conditions.
It is recommended that, in areas where smoke can clearly be smelled or there is falling ash, residents should stay indoors, schools should curtail outdoor physical activity and scheduled sports events. Pets should be brought indoors when possible. All strenuous activity, whether indoor or outdoor, should be avoided in affected areas. Most schools will base their decision to close on an imminent danger from the fire itself, not on air quality. There is usually little difference between the air quality in a school and that found in the surrounding homes.
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