Air quality officials issue health notice

Posted Wednesday, June 11, 2008

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Raleigh, NC – Air quality officials issued a health notice for air pollution in the Fayetteville and Triangle metropolitan areas on Thursday as smoke from the large wildfire in Eastern North Carolina drifts westward. Forecasters have predicted Code Orange conditions, which means that air quality in Fayetteville, the Triangle and much of Eastern North Carolina is likely to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

This forecast means people who are sensitive to air pollution should avoid moderate exertion outdoors. Sensitive groups include children who are active outside, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those with heart conditions and respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Also, outdoor burning is prohibited on Code Orange days.

The primary pollutant of concern is fine particles, which consist of very small particles and liquid droplets in the air. Particles can be harmful to breathe and contribute to haze and other air quality problems.

Fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing or aggravating heart and lung diseases. Persons most susceptible to particle pollution include those with heart and respiratory conditions, the elderly and young children. Symptoms of exposure to high particle levels include: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest pain or tightness; shortness of breath; and asthma attacks. In extreme cases, particle pollution can cause premature death.

A wide range of sources contribute to particle pollution, including power plants and other industry, cars and trucks, wood stoves and outdoor fires. Some particles form during the burning of fuels, and others form later when pollutants react in the air. Smoke from the large wildfire in Hyde, Terrell and Washington counties is expected to contribute to elevated particle levels across Eastern North Carolina as winds shift westward.

The air pollution forecast for Thursday predicts that fine particle levels will exceed the standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over 24 hours. High particle levels can impair breathing and aggravate symptoms in people with respiratory problems, and irritate the lungs in healthy individuals. People with chronic lung ailments and children should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity.

The N.C. Division of Air Quality (DAQ) issues daily air forecasts for the Triangle, Charlotte, Asheville, Hickory, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount metropolitan areas. In the Triad, forecasts are issued by the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department. The forecasts are part of the N.C. Air Awareness Program, a voluntary effort aimed at reducing air pollution in the state’s major metropolitan areas. Citizens can help reduce air pollution by taking some of the following actions:

• Limit driving by riding the bus, walking, bicycling or postponing trips.
• If you drive, avoid idling for long periods of time, stay within speed limits, combine errands to reduce the number of small trips, and use vehicles with higher fuel economies.
• Conserve electricity by setting thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature and turning off appliances that are not in use.

In 2002, the General Assembly enacted legislation that will require the state's coal-fired power plants to reduce their ozone, haze and particle-forming emissions by three-fourths by 2013. For additional information, call 1-888-RU4NCAIR (1-888-784-6224) or visit the DAQ Web site at www.ncair.org/ or Forsyth County’s Web site at http://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/EnvAffairs/ .