Smoke from Freeway Complex
Fire in Orange County Continues to Pose Potential Public Health
Danger
For
Immediate Release: November 17, 2008
Contact: Deanne Thompson (714) 834-2178
(Santa Ana) - Smoke from the Freeway Complex
Fire in Orange County may pose a health danger to county
residents and visitors, especially those in certain high-risk
groups. In addition, continued warm temperatures forecast for
today may also contribute to the public health danger.
The South Coast Air Quality Management
District (AQMD) says all of Orange County will be directly
impacted by smoke today and will have unhealthy air quality.
Everyone in Orange County should avoid any vigorous outdoor or
indoor exertion today.
People with respiratory or heart disease, the
elderly, and children should remain indoors as much as possible.
Keep your windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot
inside. If indoor temperatures are an issue, visit a public
facility that is air conditioned, such as a library or community
center, or visit a shopping mall or other public location that
is climate-controlled. At home, run your air conditioner if you
have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean
to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. In your car, run
your air conditioner on re-circulation mode.
“Among those who can be most directly affected
by smoke exposure are individuals with heart disease, those with
lung disease or asthma, older adults, children and pregnant
women,” said County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler. “Seek
medical attention if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest
tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. Air pollution
levels from the fire can change rapidly, depending on weather
conditions, so individuals in these high-risk groups should take
precautions until the situation is over.” People should also
keep their airways (nose and mouth) moist by drinking extra
amounts of water. This helps your body filter out potentially
harmful particles in the smoke.
Additional information about the health
impacts of wildfire smoke can be found on the AQMD website at
www.aqmd.gov.
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