2008 Woodie Awards
Summer air during smoky season can be a risk to health
By: Kelsey Siebert
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Features
Summers are remembered for their lazy days by the river, the scorching sun and unbearable smoke.
The wildfires that plagued California gave Chico a summer unlike any before.
The Butte County Air Quality Management District declared the air "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" during the smoky conditions.
"The air quality in Chico and the foothills was by far the worst we have ever seen in the state," said Gail Williams, senior air quality planner for the organization. "And I've been here 20 years."
During those days, the smoke was so thick it was difficult to see more than one or two blocks ahead, she said.
Breathing smoke in conditions like that is extremely harmful, Williams said. The fine particles that are inhaled are getting to the deepest, most sensitive parts of the lungs.
The smoke also contains every kind of toxin you can think of when the fires burn homes and other buildings, Williams said.
"You've got a double whammy," she said.
Even with all the warnings not to exercise outside, there were still some people who went about their daily routines.
"I was surprised that there were so many people out there exerting themselves, saying that they were healthy so the smoke wouldn't hurt them," Williams said. "But it will hurt them."
The conditions didn't stop senior Allison Ivie, who runs cross country and track.
"I kind of just left it up to me, which probably wasn't the smartest thing," she said. "But if it was really bad, I ran on the treadmill."
Ivie did feel a difference in her workout, she said. She had a harder time breathing because the air was so heavy and thick.
"I just went about my same routine and pretended that it wasn't horrible and ugly outside," she said. "I rationalized that this one time wouldn't hurt."
But Catherine Felix, director of Student Health Services, said one time will hurt.
"Anything you do to your body that is unhealthy will catch up to you," she said.
Lung cells are very sensitive, she said, and the particles will accumulate in your lungs over time.
While California has definitely had plenty of fires and smoke this summer, normally the busy months of fire season are September and October, said Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire spokesman.
"There is still a lot of potential for more fires this year," he said.
Dry conditions increase the fire threat and make it more likely that the smoke will come back.
When it does, Butte County Public Health and Butte County Air Quality Management District advise people to stay indoors.
Air conditioning units should be run on a re-circulation mode to avoid drawing in smoke from outside.
Exercising indoors is not recommended because even well-sealed homes only reduce pollution by about one-third.
Difficulty breathing is the most visible symptom of overexposure to smoke, Felix said. People may also experience coughing, headaches and allergy and sinus problems.
"The only defense we have is to stay indoors as much as possible," she said.
If students think they are experiencing respiratory distress they should contact the Student Health Center at 898-5241.
Kelsey Siebert can be reached at
ksiebert@theorion.com
Related links
Cal Fire Web site
Butte County Air Quality Management District
The wildfires that plagued California gave Chico a summer unlike any before.
The Butte County Air Quality Management District declared the air "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" during the smoky conditions.
"The air quality in Chico and the foothills was by far the worst we have ever seen in the state," said Gail Williams, senior air quality planner for the organization. "And I've been here 20 years."
During those days, the smoke was so thick it was difficult to see more than one or two blocks ahead, she said.
Breathing smoke in conditions like that is extremely harmful, Williams said. The fine particles that are inhaled are getting to the deepest, most sensitive parts of the lungs.
The smoke also contains every kind of toxin you can think of when the fires burn homes and other buildings, Williams said.
"You've got a double whammy," she said.
Even with all the warnings not to exercise outside, there were still some people who went about their daily routines.
"I was surprised that there were so many people out there exerting themselves, saying that they were healthy so the smoke wouldn't hurt them," Williams said. "But it will hurt them."
The conditions didn't stop senior Allison Ivie, who runs cross country and track.
"I kind of just left it up to me, which probably wasn't the smartest thing," she said. "But if it was really bad, I ran on the treadmill."
Ivie did feel a difference in her workout, she said. She had a harder time breathing because the air was so heavy and thick.
"I just went about my same routine and pretended that it wasn't horrible and ugly outside," she said. "I rationalized that this one time wouldn't hurt."
But Catherine Felix, director of Student Health Services, said one time will hurt.
"Anything you do to your body that is unhealthy will catch up to you," she said.
Lung cells are very sensitive, she said, and the particles will accumulate in your lungs over time.
While California has definitely had plenty of fires and smoke this summer, normally the busy months of fire season are September and October, said Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire spokesman.
"There is still a lot of potential for more fires this year," he said.
Dry conditions increase the fire threat and make it more likely that the smoke will come back.
When it does, Butte County Public Health and Butte County Air Quality Management District advise people to stay indoors.
Air conditioning units should be run on a re-circulation mode to avoid drawing in smoke from outside.
Exercising indoors is not recommended because even well-sealed homes only reduce pollution by about one-third.
Difficulty breathing is the most visible symptom of overexposure to smoke, Felix said. People may also experience coughing, headaches and allergy and sinus problems.
"The only defense we have is to stay indoors as much as possible," she said.
If students think they are experiencing respiratory distress they should contact the Student Health Center at 898-5241.
Kelsey Siebert can be reached at
ksiebert@theorion.com
Related links
Cal Fire Web site
Butte County Air Quality Management District
Be the first to comment on this story