SJVAPCD issues health caution for high winds and blowing dust

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (the District) today issued a health caution for strong winds and blowing dust. The notice covers Monday through Wednesday of this week.

The windy conditions may result in high concentrations of PM 10 (particulate matter 10 microns and smaller) that can result in serious health problems, including the triggering of asthma and bronchitis attacks, an increased risk of respiratory infections, and aggravate heart and lung disease. The District also recommends that older adults and children avoid prolonged exposures to these conditions.

Impacts are expected Monday and Tuesday in the Northern and Western counties of the District (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, and Kings). The Valley portion of Kern County will be impacted beginning late Monday and lasting through early Wednesday.

The dusty conditions result from exceptionally dry soil in many areas as well as smoke from wood burning fireplaces. The District urges residents to refrain from using wood burning devices to help minimize these impacts.

More information is available at SJVAPCD or District offices in Fresno (559.230.6000), Modesto (209.557.6400), or Bakersfield (661.392.5500).

APCD urges San Joaquin Valley residents to NOT use Fireworks this July 4th

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, which regulates air pollution throughout an eight county region and includes the cities of Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, and more, has issued a request to all Valley residents to NOT use fireworks this July 4th weekend.

Photo Credit: SJVAPCD

The reason is that the use of such fireworks has been demonstrated to raise the amounts of small particulate matter (PM) to unhealthy levels that exceed health standards. These particles include soot, ash, and toxic metals. These substances can enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream, with the possibility of causing heart attacks and strokes.

Historical monitoring of Valley air quality during previous holidays has shown that PM levels may reach as much as 4 or 5 times higher than federal health standards, as the chart above shows.

This is of particular concern for those with existing health issues like asthma, heart disease, children, and the elderly. In addition, the use of such fireworks will exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic which is raging throughout the Valley.

“We ask that residents are considerate to the health and well-being of the Valley’s most vulnerable individuals, especially during this unprecedented health crisis,” said Samir Sheikh, the Valley Air District’s Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer. “Fireworks release large amounts of PM at ground-level, where individuals can breathe in the harmful pollutant,” he added.

APCD issues another caution notice for blowing dust from gusty winds

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has issued another cautionary health notice today for residents of the Valley.

APCD officials are expecting northwesterly gusty winds across the entire San Joaquin Valley Friday afternoon, September 30, through Monday, October 30, 2016. They expect that the winds will generate more blowing dust that will contain potentially unhealthy levels of particulate matter 10 microns and smaller (PM10).

The winds will be resulting from an expected cold front accompanying a low pressure area moving in and out of the Valley as a high pressure system builds behind it.

Exposure to PM10 pollution can cause serious health problems, including asthma attacks, bronchitis,and aggravate those with lung or heart diseases, as well as increasing the risk for respiratory infections.