Friday 8/19/11
On July 19th an Air Quality Alert was posted because fires in Ontario caused smoke to become elevated in Grand Portage. Smoke contains small particulates, and the monitor located at Trust Lands measures levels of particulates in the air on an hourly basis. Fires in Ontario are still burning and several new fires started this week; however, the air quality has been good to moderate, and fine particulates have not reached levels that could cause health effects in people. The Grand Portage Air Program will provide updates as long as the fires are still burning. If levels of particulates become elevated, another air quality alert will be posted.
Possible Health Effects from Fire Smoke
- Eye and throat irritation
- Respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
- Aggravation of asthma and heart or lung disease
Precautions You Can Take to Limit Health Effects from Fire Smoke
- Everyone, especially children, the elderly and other sensitive individuals should avoid vigorous exercise outdoors.
- Avoid drawing smoky air indoors: use an air conditioner if you have one and keep it on the recycle/recirculate mode. If you are using a fan, place them away from a window, where they would draw in smoky air.
Monitor Grand Portage air quality: http://www.mwhazecam.net/grand.html
Look for updates on the Grand Portage Air Quality blog: http://gpairquality.blogspot.com/
Monitor air quality nationwide: http://www.airnow.gov/.
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