Silver Valley air quality downgraded to Moderate

PINEHURST — As of Monday, Nov. 4, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality reports that the air quality rating in the Silver Valley is at “Moderate.”

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.

A look at the surrounding cities in the Idaho Panhandle show degraded air quality ratings as well.

DEQ has also extended an Air Pollution Forecast and Caution for residents of Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Shoshone counties outside tribal boundaries of degraded air quality.

Due to a stagnant atmosphere and elevated pollutant levels, health impacts may occur. This degraded air quality is forecasted to remain elevated roughly the next 24 hours. The pollutant of concern is Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5).

During a period of heightened poor air quality, the DEQ recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, shortening the time of such activities, or canceling those activities all together.

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

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.