Health air quality advisory in effect

The Grant County Health District has issued an air advisory as a result of wildfire smoke affecting the air quality in Grant County and the North Central Washington area.

The smoke is not expected to clear in the near future keeping the air quality between unhealthy for sensitive groups and unhealthy for all groups. Residents statewide are encouraged to follow the recommendations of the air quality index.

Poor air quality and inhaling wildfire smoke is not good for anyone, but can significantly impact people with asthma and other lung diseases, as well as infants, children, pregnant women and older adults.

Levels of pollutants that may not affect healthy people may cause breathing difficulties for these individuals.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles released when things burn.

In addition to burning your eyes, these fine particles and gases can be inhaled deep into your lungs. This makes it harder to breathe and may worsen other chronic health conditions.

To reduce the risks to vulnerable individuals, GCHD recommends if it looks smoky outside, it is probably not a good time for any outdoor activities.

GCHD is encouraging all coaches to check the visibility and the quality of air before hosting outdoor practices/ activities and to seek opportunities to move practices/ activities indoors.

Residents should minimize the use of indoor air pollutants such as candles, incense, and wood burning stoves. Residents should routinely check on children, the elderly and friends and family who have breathing problems when outdoor air quality is unhealthy.

An N95 or P100 mask that is properly fitted and worn correctly may provide some protection against outdoor wildfire smoke. A dust or surgical mask will not protect from the fine particles present in wildfire smoke.