With a noticeable haze in the atmosphere staying around for a second day, and arriving for the second time in two weeks, the question of outdoor air quality might well be on your mind.
The current haze, associated with smoke from wildfires in Canada spreading over the country, state and county, may leave residents unsure how dangerous things really are.
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Gettysburg College Megan Benka-Coker, an expert on indoor and outdoor air pollution, helps explain.
Benka-Coker said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a system that helps people understand the potential dangers of polluted air and protects their health.
Monitors across the country, including at least three in Adams County, continually test the air for pollutants including ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
The AQI considers each of the sources of pollution and combines them into a number that ranges from 0 to over 300. The index is then mapped onto color-coded categories to make it easy to understand. The six categories range from green (safest) to maroon (most dangerous).
Benka-Coker said Adams County is normally in the green category because we don’t have a lot of polluting traffic or industry. “As the climate changes, however, we’re going to be experiencing this more often. You can’t stop air from moving,” she said.
Benka-Coker said particulate matter from the fires is what makes it hazy. “It’s mostly dust and wood particles.”
Benka-Coker said the particles in the air are less than 2.5 microns in width. “They are small enough that when you breathe them in, they get deep in your lungs. They can also create asthma and cardiovascular problems and may lead to emergency room visits”, she said.
Benka-Coker said today’s AQI level in Adams, Red, indicates a level of concern where some members of general groups may experience health effects and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious problems.
“Compromised individuals should really limit outdoor activities,” she said. “Don’t run a 5K today.”
“If you’re young and healthy being outside is not likely to cause harm,” she said, “but we should be careful. Everyone should take precautions. Working or doing strenuous exercises outside is not recommended, especially for children and those over 65.
Benka-Coker said you should consider seeing your doctor or reporting to urgent care or the emergency room if you are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, light-headedness, coughing, or chest pain.
If you have asthma or know you are vulnerable – don’t ignore it,” she said.
Benka-Coker said it is a good idea to use your air conditioning if you can rather than opening your windows but noted that AQI levels can get high indoors even with the windows closed.
Benka-Coker also recommended portable in-home air filters. “The purifiers used for COVID also work well to filter particles,” she said. “If you have them, you should run them.”
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.
