Silver Valley air quality downgraded to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

PINEHURST— As of Monday, Aug. 13 at 1 p.m., The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reports that the air quality rating in the Silver Valley has been downgraded to “Unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

This means that although the general public should not be affected, those with allergies to smoke or any sort of breathing conditions may experience negative health effects.

IDEQ recommends that those who fall into the “sensitive group” should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. It is OK to be active outside, but take more breaks an do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as couching or shortness of breath.

Those with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.

People with heart diseases that experience symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may have a serious problem and should contact their health care provider.

According to satellite images of the pacific north west (see photo), much of the smoke in our area is coming from wildfires burning in Central Washington– but other fires burning across Idaho and Montana are contributing to the haze as well.

Major, uncontained wildfires in or near Shoshone County include:

- Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District- Rampike fire, 978 acres. Surprise Creek fire, 1472 acres.

- St. Joe River Ranger District- Snow Peak, 30 acres.

Surrounding cities in the Idaho Panhandle also show degraded air quality ratings, some even in the “unhealthy” category.

The Silver Valley collects its air quality data from the DEQ air monitoring station in Pinehurst.

Smoky air is considered to be a form of particle pollution and it can be harmful to your health.

Particle pollution has been linked to a number of health problems including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and even death.

The DEQ rates air quality using a series of numerical values.

0-50 is good and 51-100 is moderate, but after 100 things get dangerous and there are specific warnings that apply to people with varying sensitivity.

To see the live air-quality map, visit http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov.