For immediate release: November 21, 2005 (05-151)

Contacts:
Judy Bardin, Environmental Health Assessments 360-236-3193
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072

OLYMPIA ¾ Washington is currently under a National Weather Service air stagnation advisory that may last through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. When inversions that cause such stagnation occur, they trap air pollutants, especially small particles from wood smoke and vehicle exhaust near the ground so that they reach concentrations of concern. Air pollution levels may increase due to holiday activities such as driving to friends or relatives and lighting fires in fireplaces or wood stoves.

Eye and respiratory tract irritation (stinging eyes, coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, runny nose, and headache) are common effects from breathing these pollutants and can be experienced by everyone. People who may be more sensitive include infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women, cigarette smokers. Those with preexisting lung and heart conditions such as previous heart attack, angina, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis are also more sensitive to air pollution.

Higher risk people may experience symptoms earlier and at lower levels of air pollutants, and need to be especially careful. People with lung and/or heart conditions may experience wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, pain in the left arm or jaw, sudden overwhelming fatigue, and rapid heart beat. People who develop these symptoms should contact their health care provider. Call 911 if you cannot reach your healthcare provider.

Additional burning adds more pollution to the air, so voluntary restraint of outdoor burning, wood stove and fireplace use can help reduce the impact of the inversion. Restricting unnecessary driving also helps to counteract the effect of air stagnation.

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