June 30, 2017 – The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District and the Nevada County Public Health Department are issuing a joint Air Quality Health Advisory to notify the public of expected poor air quality today through Sunday, July 2 due to elevated ozone concentrations. With high temperatures, decreasing dispersion and a southwest afternoon airflow, ozone in western Nevada County is likely to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range in the afternoons and evenings through the weekend, and fall into the Good to Moderate range in the mornings.
Exposure to elevated ozone concentrations can result in eye and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, coughing, impaired lung function and chest pain. People most likely to feel health effects from ozone are the elderly, children, individuals with asthma or other cardiovascular conditions, pregnant women and anyone who is exercising or working hard outdoors.
The following actions are recommended:
• Limit outdoor exercise to the morning hours and minimize outdoor activity in the afternoon and evening;
• Sensitive individuals should avoid outdoor activity, especially in the later part of the day, and run the air conditioner on the “recirculate” setting if that is an option;
• People with asthma should follow their asthma management plan;
• Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or severe fatigue.
Current air quality conditions may be found at www.sparetheair.com (click on “Current Conditions” on the left) or at www.myairdistrict.com (click on “Local Air Quality” in the lower middle portion).