April 06, 2004
By: Neil Webber
Website: http://www.1st-in-wellness.com
Forest Fire Air Quality Information Available On-line From DEQ
Smoke from wildfire activity has resulted in potentially unhealthful air quality conditions in some portions of Montana. The Montana Department of Environmental has established a website to keep the public informed about changes to air quality conditions across the state.
The Forest Fire Air Quality Update provides daily updated tables identifying communities in Montana that are experiencing the most serious smoke problems.
The site provides a Forest Fire Smoke Categories Table to helps the public understand how various levels of smoke can have an affect on health. It also provides a Visibility Ranges Table used to determine forest fire smoke density and its hazard ranking. The DEQ will provide daily updates during the remainder of the forest fire season as conditions warrant.
State and federal studies have confirmed that particulate matter in smoke can increase susceptibility in people with heart or lung diseases -- such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or congestive heart disease -- and can aggravate existing medical conditions. The elderly are also sensitive to particulate matter exposure. When exposed to particulate matter, children and people with existing lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or vigorously as they normally would, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Seek medical treatment if you have uncontrolled coughing, wheezing or choking, or if breathing difficulty does not subside indoors.
In areas where air quality is not regularly monitored, visibility can be used to help identify unhealthy smoke levels. Lack of visibility means that even high contrast objects totally disappear.
About
The Author:
Neil Webber is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-wellness.com.
Obtaining and keeping good health through healthy living, natural healing, great mental health and healthy finances.
