Bad air quality and small particles can pose health risks to all Angelenos. Windblown dust and ash can irritate skin or worsen pre-existing illnesses, especially in children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and anyone with heart or lung disorders.
The advisory continues, “Strong winds are expected to continue dispersing ash and dust from burn scars in the Palisades, Eaton, and other impacted areas. Air quality may reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse in some regions. While ash particles are typically visible, they may not always affect Air Quality Index (AQI) readings. Nonetheless, these particles can carry toxic materials and pose significant health risks.
Los Angeles County and the greater Los Angeles area are on high alert due to the influx of wildfires and lack of rain this season. The Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires are still active after wreaking havoc on Angelenos since Jan. 7, merely seven days into the new year.
LA County’s Department of Public Health issued a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory this past Tuesday, despite various air quality reports—for people who are not in a fire zone—labeling the air quality as “good.” The advisory will run until Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 pm.
“Gusty winds may disperse ash from recent fire burn scars and generate dust, potentially impacting air quality throughout Los Angeles County,” according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD). The advisory applies to all areas affected. South Coast AQMD provides an in-depth map available online at aqmd.gov and on a mobile application.
Experts suggest using apps such as Purple Map Air (https://map.purpleair.com/). Many are using the Air Quality Index to see if the air quality is safe in their area but fail to realize that it does not account for other pollutants in the air, such as asbestos, arsenic, and lead.
The Eaton Canyon fire has burned over 14,000 acres with 17 percent containment, and the Palisades fire has burned more than 23,000 acres with 35 percent containment. The Hurst Fire has burned over 700 acres and is 97 percent contained. The Kenneth fire is 100 percent contained but burned over 1,000 acres of land. The Sunset and Sunswept fires are also 100 percent contained.
The wildfires, caused by dry brush and the relentless impact of the Santa Ana winds, have caused devastation within thousands of families losing their homes in the Altadena, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, West Hills, and Woodland Hills communities. Residences across the Southland are not the only issue, as the wildfires have negatively impacted the air quality of Southern California.
Anne Kelsey Lamb, director of Regional Asthma Management and Prevention, told the Los Angeles Times, “The main component of smoke is particulate matter, and that can penetrate deep into the lungs, which directly causes respiratory issues, but it can also enter the bloodstream, where it can cause a range of other health issues.”
According to UC Davis Health, exposure to smoke causes eye and throat discomfort, coughing, sneezing, chest tightness, and wheezing.
Here are several ways that you can protect yourself:
• Wear a tight-fitting N95 mask. Community spaces, such as the Los Angeles Public Library, are giving away N95 masks at all locations for free.
• Stay indoors: Staying inside of your home, office, or car with the windows closed is a great way to protect your lungs.
• Keep the air conditioner on: If you are inside, the air conditioner will not bring outside air into your home, office, or car. Also, indoor air is cleaner than outside air.
• Stay up to date on your air quality: Use websites such as PurpleAir.com or Airnow.gov to check the latest and most up-to-date air quality index levels.
• Avoid chemicals in your home: simple things such as frying food, burning a candle, and turning on a fireplace will create extra chemicals within the air indoors.
• See a doctor: low air quality can be detrimental to people, causing health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and other respiratory problems. Visit your doctor if you are having shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, or heart palpitations
• Generator safety: South Coast AQMD suggests if you plan to use a generator in the case of a power outage due to high winds, make sure that it is not used inside of your home. The generator must be used 20 feet away from your home if used.
• Use an air-purifying device indoors
• Do not exercise outdoors
Ultimately, staying informed, indoors, and monitoring air quality updates during wildfires and winds is best.