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Holy Smoke

Air quality right now? Not so great.

As some of you may have noticed, the air is a little…cloudy. The sun is a a bright red (fun fact: natural aerosols from forest fires create this effect). What does this all mean? Not the apocalypse, if that’s where your brain went.

Due to an increasing amount of forest fires this summer, the air quality in Washington and Oregon has taken a dip. Most of Western WA and Southern OR are hovering in the “unhealthy” category.

What does this mean for you?

The health effects can include:

  • Irritation of the respiratory system (coughing, sore throat, chest tightness, pain when taking a deep breath)
  • Reduced lung function (harder to breathe deeply)
  • Inflammation and damage to the cells that line the lungs (damaged cells are replaced in a few days without prolonged exposure)
  • Lungs more susceptible to infection
  • Aggravated asthma
  • Aggravation other chronic lung diseases
  • Permanent lung damage (most likely in children/older adults or adults with immune issues)

For unhealthy for sensitive group levels, the following groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion:
– People with heart or lung disease, such as asthma
– Children and older adults

For unhealthy levels, the following should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion:
– People with heart or lung disease
– Children and older adults
Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

For very unhealthy levels, the following should avoid ALL outdoor exertion:
– People with heart or lung disease
– Children and older adults
– People who are active outdoors
Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

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