As most of you might have noticed, the sky of Southwest Wyoming has turned hazy over the last several days. While this could be amusing for photographers and passersby, many people are concerned about their respiratory health and might be wondering what to do and what to expect.
The smoke is from the incessant fires in many places in the West. Fire in the west has been a problem throughout this year due to the drought and dry lands in the region. Fires from last month and months before are largely contained but there are many fires that have started this month which continue to engulf acres and acres of lands. The smoke is moving east and is bound to affect air quality in the western regions and is expected to affect much of Midwest. The problem is also not expected to resolve in the next few weeks.
QUALITY OF AIR
Air quality is monitored by various agencies including EPA (US environmental protection agency) and local and state agencies like Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality, for Wyoming. Air quality is measured and reported as an air quality index (AQI) which incorporates five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act. These including ground-level ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Each of these pollutants has national air quality standards. Based on their levels areas are declared being in green, yellow, orange or red zones with increasing severity of poorer air quality.
As of now, the Sweetwater County area is under a red flag warning for fire hazard, but classified as a light smoke zone with the expectation that it could get into medium smoke zone. As of today and tomorrow, this area is not expected to be in ‘Action Day’ which basically means that strict precautions are to be taken to avoid harmful effects of the smoke, particularly for people with respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. However, this scenario is likely to change day by day and by hours of the day.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD YOU TAKE
Everybody knows that we have had a worse allergy season and fluctuating weather this year and the threat of wild fire in the west continues. My recommendation thus for everybody and particularly for those with respiratory diseases including adults and children is to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed to avoid much particulate matter in the house. Also it is recommended to limit outdoor events to minimize exposure which includes working in the yard. All regular activities including daily exercise should however be continued in an air conditioned environment. Also, keep an eye out for news regarding air quality index as we may see it change rapidly for the worse if there are more fires or fires within a closer proximity.
Dr. Pritam Neupane is a Pulmonolgy & Critical Care Provider who sees patients in the Medical Office & Physician Clinic at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.
