Smoke from wildfires in the Pacific Northwest is traveling in a clockwise direction under a high pressure system, which is affecting several western states, including Arizona. PDEQ is not issuing an air quality advisory at this time because monitors are currently recording particulate levels in the lower moderate range. There is a chance of rain on Friday, which could help reduce the smoke, but as long as the wildfires continue to burn, there will be the potential for hazy skies and elevated particulates.
Most individuals will not be affected by current air pollution levels. Unusually sensitive people, including individuals with heart disease and respiratory sensitivities, may want to consider reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion to decrease the amount of particulates they breathe into their lungs. Small particles can travel into the respiratory system and cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Those most at risk may feel better if they avoid outside exercise, stay inside as much as possible, and keep windows and doors closed to help reduce exposure to particulate matter.
Particulate matter can be made up of tiny specks of soot, dust, smoke and aerosols that are suspended in the air we breathe. Particulate matter can come from dust from disturbed land that becomes airborne with high winds and also from combustion sources such as cars, industry, and indoor and outside fires.
PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 16 air quality monitoring stations. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available in the air monitoring section of the PDEQ website at
www.pima.gov/deq. The public can sign up here to receive
Air Quality Advisories and other Pima County Department of Environmental Quality notices directly via
email.
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