Vancouver’s brief reprieve from smoke and haze is over.
Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory Tuesday afternoon in light of wildfires burning in northern California, Oregon and Washington State.
The advisory applies to Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley and conditions are expected to persist into Wednesday. The advisory will remain in place until there’s a change in the current weather patterns, though no timelines have been provided as to when that may happen.
Metro’s advisory also cautions against strenuous outdoor activities, particularly during mid-afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are highest.
“Exposure to ozone and fine particulate matter is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes or asthma,” the advisory reads. “If you are experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort, shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.”
The regional authority offered a number of tips to minimize health risks during air quality advisories:
* Stay cool and drink plenty of water.
* Use symptom management medications, such as inhalers, if needed.
* Continue to manage medical conditions such as asthma, chronic respiratory disease and heart failure. If symptoms continue to be bothersome, seek medical attention.
The following suggestions apply specifically to those with chronic underlying medical conditions:
* Avoid strenuous activity outdoors and stay in cool, air-conditioned environments, especially during the afternoon and early evening when ozone levels are highest.
* Reduce indoor sources of pollution such as smoking and vacuuming and run an air cleaner. Some room air cleaners, such as HEPA filters, can help reduce indoor particulate levels provided they are the right size for your home and filters are changed regularly.
* Consider taking shelter in air-conditioned buildings that have large indoor volumes and limited entry of outdoor air.
Information about real-time air quality readings for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley and potential health impacts can be found at airmap.ca or www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air.
@JohnKurucz
