Poor air quality can hurt health

Published July 7, 2008
By Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight
60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Due to recent fires in the local area, base personnel should take precautionary measures when performing strenuous outdoor activities and consider curtailing unnecessary activities during periods of poor air quality.

The Yolo-Solano Air District Quality Management District recommends residents who see or smell smoke to follow the precautionary measures listed below:

-- Discontinue strenuous outdoor activities by active children, students and adults,

-- Use air conditioning in cars (close fresh air intake) and homes,

-- Keep windows and doors closed if not too hot,

-- Keep particle levels inside low by avoiding using anything that burns, including wood stoves and gas stoves if possible, and

-- Avoid the fire areas.

Another piece of important information to keep in mind during times of poor air quality is the Air Quality Index. AQI is a standardized indicator of the air quality in a given location which includes ozone and particulate matter, such as those from a fire.

-- 0 to 50, good is usually green

-- 51 to 100, moderate is usually yellow

-- 101 to 150, unhealthy for sensitive groups is usually orange

-- 151 to 200, unhealthy is usually red

-- 201 to 300, very unhealthy is usually purple

-- 301 to 500, hazardous is usually maroon

Visit http://www.sparetheair.com for additional information.