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August 19, 2009: Conditions are improving. The
Air Quality Watch below remains in effect.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated August 18, 2009
Public Health Contact:
Michele Mickiewicz, Public Information Officer, 805-681-5446,
805-451-3497 (cell)
Air Pollution Control District Contact:
Tom Murphy, Division Manager, 805-961-8857, 805-403-1096 (cell)
Air Quality Watch Re-Issued for Santa Barbara County
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Particularly Northern Area of County
Falling Ash; Potential for Smoke
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health
Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
today re-issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County. Ash from
the La Brea Fire is falling in much of the county, and smoke may affect
some areas.
As time goes on, large ash particles are broken
into smaller particles that can be inhaled. The agencies caution
residents to: avoid skin contact with ash; avoid stirring ash particles
up into the air through cleanup activities; and avoid exercising
outdoors in areas where large amounts of ash have been deposited.
Residents are advised to avoid using leaf blowers for ash cleanup, and
to ask landscaping services to avoid use of leaf blowers. Anyone with
heart or lung problems should not do ash cleanup.
Changing
wind and weather conditions will determine whether smoke from the fire
will affect ground-level air quality. If you smell smoke, or sense
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 outdoor exercise when smoke is in
the area. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be
related to exposure to smoke and 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.
This Air Quality Watch will be updated August 19, or as
conditions warrant. For more information, see
this page; sign up for advisory
updates on this page. For recorded advisory updates,
call 805-961-8802
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