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The Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) encourages residents to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine if smoke levels are harmful to health. Favorable burning conditions on Tuesday in Flint Hills, Kansas and Oklahoma, associated with southerly winds, could result in smoke in Lincoln and Lancaster counties Tuesday night until Wednesday .
During this time of year, smoke from burns of agricultural origin and burns can lead to health problems, especially in children, the elderly and those suffering from alcohol. asthma, lung disease, other respiratory problems or heart disease. People at risk are encouraged to check IQA before any intense outdoor activity.
The LLCHD monitors the air quality 24 hours a day and the IQA from lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: air) is updated every hour. These monitors provide air quality data to provide health recommendations to Lancaster County residents. Gary Bergstrom, head of air quality for the LLCHD, said that when particles and gases from the smoke are inhaled into the lungs, they can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause angina pectoris (chest pain).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides an AirNow smartphone application. The air quality levels are color-coded on the AQI graph:
· IQA values below 100 (green or yellow) should not cause health problems to the vast majority of people.
· The values of IQA between 101 and 150 (orange) indicate that the air quality is not healthy for sensitive people. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and quickly dispose of rescue medications. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease should reduce their prolonged or heavy efforts during outdoor activities.
· IQA values greater than 150 (red, purple and brown) indicate that air quality is bad for everyone's health. Outdoor activities should be moved indoors or relocated at a time when the air quality will be better. Children, older adults and people with asthma or heart or lung disease should avoid prolonged or heavy efforts during outdoor activities. All others must reduce prolonged or heavy efforts during outdoor activities and take more breaks during outdoor activities.
When the quality of the air is bad for the health, the people at risk can protect more their health by staying inside, keeping the windows and the doors closed and by using the "recirculation" setting. when using a vehicle air conditioner. People who have difficulty breathing, coughing, unusual fatigue, heart palpitations, chest tightness, or angina should contact a health care provider.
For more information on LLCHD, visit lincoln.ne.gov/health.
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