School Closures and Outdoor Event Cancellations School closures are the decision of the individual school district, usually in consultation with the local health department. Outdoor event cancellations are the decision of the event coordinators, usually in consultation with local health department. Consult your local health department if you have questions about air pollution and health,. Fine Particles, Indoor Air Quality, and Health Air pollution from wildfires, outdoor burning, wood heating, and traffic can increase fine particles in the air you breathe. Weather patterns such as high pressure systems or air stagnations can keep air pollutants from dispersing, resulting in unhealthy air quality.
Fine particles travel easily indoors, especially if ventilation systems are drawing outside air. Fine particles come in around doors, windows, and small openings. Over time, concentrations of fine particles indoors can approach concentrations outdoors.
Exercising students breathe deeper and more often and take in more air, and more air pollution, into their lungs. Breathing polluted air can cause health problems, including aggravating asthma and other respiratory diseases. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, and dizziness should be seen by a medical provider.
Schools should reduce student activities when air quality has reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. Individual students with allergies, asthma, respiratory or heart conditions may need to stay indoors when air quality is in the “Moderate” category.
School buildings with enhanced filtration systems will have improved indoor air quality. Supplemental use of properly sized HEPA-Charcoal air filters that do not produce ozone has been shown to improve indoor air quality by reducing fine particles and chemicals in smoke.
The Washington State Department of Health’s document, Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality during Wildfire Smoke Events, provides information about air pollutants, identifies ways to improve your building's indoor air quality, and includes helpful links for information about portable air cleaners. This and other documents are available online: www.doh.wa.gov/SmokeFromFires and www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir
Current Air Quality Conditions Current air quality conditions are available using the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network. Adapted from WA State Department of Health guidance, Rev. Jul 2018
Fine particles travel easily indoors, especially if ventilation systems are drawing outside air. Fine particles come in around doors, windows, and small openings. Over time, concentrations of fine particles indoors can approach concentrations outdoors.
Exercising students breathe deeper and more often and take in more air, and more air pollution, into their lungs. Breathing polluted air can cause health problems, including aggravating asthma and other respiratory diseases. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, and dizziness should be seen by a medical provider.
Schools should reduce student activities when air quality has reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category. Individual students with allergies, asthma, respiratory or heart conditions may need to stay indoors when air quality is in the “Moderate” category.
School buildings with enhanced filtration systems will have improved indoor air quality. Supplemental use of properly sized HEPA-Charcoal air filters that do not produce ozone has been shown to improve indoor air quality by reducing fine particles and chemicals in smoke.
The Washington State Department of Health’s document, Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality during Wildfire Smoke Events, provides information about air pollutants, identifies ways to improve your building's indoor air quality, and includes helpful links for information about portable air cleaners. This and other documents are available online: www.doh.wa.gov/SmokeFromFires and www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir
Current Air Quality Conditions Current air quality conditions are available using the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network. Adapted from WA State Department of Health guidance, Rev. Jul 2018
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