Officials: Poor air quality likely to continue at least until the weekend

Air quality conditions have fluctuated between unhealthy and hazardous since Saturday in the Quad Cities, and officials don't expect that to change for a couple of more days yet.

"Right now the prevailing thinking is (the air quality) is going to be like this on and off probably through the week," said meteorologist Ron Miller with the National Weather Service in Spokane. "And we won't see any kind of a change until the weekend."

Miller said even if the region gets rain and wind this weekend as predicted, the clearer air might only be temporary.

"In a normal summer you'd have maybe one big fire and you get wind and it would bring clean air. ... But this year there's no good clean air around to bring in," Miller said.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the air quality level was 133 in Lewiston, 85 in Moscow, 178 in Lapwai, with a high of 308 in Grangeville. An air quality level of 51 to 100 is considered moderate, 101 to 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy and anything higher than 300 is considered hazardous.

Dr. Stephen Kessinger, an emergency room physician at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, said the hospital has seen an increase in the number of people in the ER with respiratory issues.

"Primarily in people who already have underlying lung diseases such as (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma - some of these people are having exacerbation of those issues," Kessinger said. "We do have people who come in (without pre-existing conditions), usually it's mild symptoms ... shortness of breath or increased cough - those patients are usually not severe."

Those with pre-existing lung conditions can start to feel symptoms with an air quality level at moderate levels, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Melissa Rhein, air quality analyst with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, said the agency is forecasting air quality remaining in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "hazardous" levels for the remainder of the week.

She said people should stay indoors as much as possible to limit their exposure to the smoke.

"So if that means postponing mowing the yard and not going for your daily walk around the river ... or maybe take a walk around the mall," she said. "Health-wise, staying in the clean air is important."

Some symptoms that might develop from prolonged smoke exposure include burning, itchy or watery eyes, runny nose, irritated throat or a cough, according to Jim Vannoy, environmental health program manger at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

"If you're having problems (such as) breathing, tightness in the chest or if you're already someone who has heart or lung disease or are having any kind of physical ailments, you can talk to your provider," Vannoy said.

The symptoms are similar to those one might see with secondhand smoke, said Kevin Uptmor, director of Gritman Medical Center's cardiopulmonary department.

He recommends people seek medical attention if they experience shortness of breath or chest pains or tightness.

"There's a lot of studies out there that say that long-term exposure to this is really bad but we are hoping it's going to be gone," Uptmor said. "The sooner the better."

The department of environmental quality recommends running air conditioners to filter out some of the smoke particulates, although standalone non-ozone emitting air filters will also help.

And for those people who maybe work outside, there are respirator masks that will filter out a good portion of smoke particulates. Those masks should be marked as "R95," "N95," or "P95." Dust masks, commonly found at hardware stores, are not designed to trap the smaller smoke particulates and will not protect the wearer from smoke exposure, according to the department of environmental quality.

The smoke is a concern not only for humans, but also for their animal companions. Carlie Gordon, a veterinarian at Riverview Animal Clinic in Clarkston, said the at-risk pet population is essentially the same as humans.

"Any pets with pre-existing lung conditions, especially things like asthma - cats, especially," Gordon said. "Senior patients - senior dogs and senior kitties."

Gordon said pet owners should call the vet if they have any concerns.

"We always look for labored breathing if it seems like (the animal is) having a difficult time breathing, and excessive coughing," Gordon said. "The best thing people can do is keep them in a well ventilated indoor area with A/C on with lots of water."

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Moroney may be contacted at kmoroney@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2232.