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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2009
Air Pollution Control District Contact:
Tom Murphy, Technology & Environmental Assessment Division Manager,
805-403-1096 (cell) or Bobbie Bratz, Public Information Officer,
805-455-6403 (cell)
Public Health Contact:
Susan Klein-Rothschild, 805-681-5435, 805-896-1057 (cell)
Air Quality Information: Wind Events May Stir up
Ash and Soot
Locations Near Burned Areas of Concern
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health
Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
today issued Air Quality Information for Santa Barbara County, noting
that wind events may stir up ash and soot from burned areas. These
events typically start in fall and can continue into winter months.
There is a possibility that a wind event may occur this Sunday
evening (September 20). The agencies will issue an Air Quality Watch on
Sunday if a wind event looks more likely by then.
Residents,
especially residents near burned areas, are asked to pay attention to
changing wind conditions in the next few months. If you sense ash and
soot particles in the air, 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 there are high
levels of particles in 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.
All residents are
urged to avoid stirring particles into the air when cleaning up ash and
soot, and especially to avoid using leaf blowers (and to ask landscaping
services to avoid using leaf blowers). For more information, see
this page; sign up for advisory
updates on this page. For recorded advisory updates,
call 805-961-8802
Air Quality Information is issued when there are air quality
updates of general interest.
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