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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated May 11, 2009
Air Pollution Control District Contact:
Tom
Murphy, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division Manager,
805-961-8857 or 805-403-1096 (cell), or
Bobbie Bratz, Public
Information Officer, 805-961-8890 or 805-455-6403 (cell)
Air Quality Watch Continues for Santa
Barbara
Residents Cautioned about Post–Fire
Cleanup
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Air
Pollution Control District today reissued the Air Quality Watch for Southern Santa Barbara County.
Air quality has improved overall, and residents are now cautioned to be careful when cleaning up ash
deposited during the Jesusita Fire.
If you sense high levels of particles in the air where you are,
be cautious and use common sense to protect your family’s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or
lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid
activities that stir ash or soot particles back into the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease
that may be related to exposure to particles, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness,
contact your health care provider.
Ash Cleanup
Residents are also advised to be cautious when cleaning up ash to try and avoid
stirring up soot particles and especially to avoid using leaf blowers. Anyone with heart or
lung problems should not do post-fire cleanup.
Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping
is the best procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on
lightly dusted areas. When cleaning up it may be useful to spray areas lightly with water;
however, it is best to divert the water to lawn or garden areas so that ash-filled water
does not flow into streets, runoff systems and the creeks. When cleaning up ash or soot,
residents are urged not to use leaf blowers. People who use gardening services should ask
their services not to use leaf blowers. In addition, children should not be allowed to play
in areas with a lot of ash on the ground. Skin contact with ash should be avoided;
pets should be washed, and ash should be removed from outside toys and play equipment.
Cars should be taken to the car wash.
Asbestos from burned
material
When houses burn, asbestos fibers from building materials may become airborne, creating a potentially hazardous situation. Houses built or re-built more than 20 years ago have a higher likelihood of containing asbestos fibers. Cleanup and demolition activities can make conditions worse if not done properly. Handling materials that contain asbestos can be hazardous to your health. Additional cleaning tips are available at
www.sbcapcd.org/asbestos-fire.htm.
The District
will continue to monitor air quality conditions, and will issue a
new advisory if conditions change.
For more
information see www.OurAir.org,
and for recorded advisory updates, call 805-961-8802.
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