How bad is it? Experts say take smoke levels seriously

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How bad is it? Experts say take smoke levels seriously

By K.C. Mehaffey
World staff writer

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen

Smoke over Saddle Rock, Tuesday afternoon.

CORRECTION: A prior version of this story incorrectly said the Chelan-Douglas Health District had opened smoke evacuation shelters. The shelters were on standby because no one was using them. This version has been corrected.

WENATCHEE — If you think breathing smoke for a few days or even weeks while wildfires rage on is no big deal, you’re wrong.

Health officials say even short-term exposure to the hazardous air in Wenatchee that’s persisted since last week is dangerous for everyone, not just those with health problems.

Is it worse than living in Los Angeles for a year? Yes.

Worse than breathing the ash-filled skies after Mount St. Helens blew? Yes.

“We asked all those questions: How does this compare to smoking for a lifetime, or living in Beijing or Mexico City or L.A.? This is much worse,” said Mary Small, spokeswoman for the Chelan-Douglas Health District.

(After publication, the Health District challenged this statement, saying Small was misquoted. The Wenatchee World stands by the quote, and followed up with a new story.)

Air quality monitoring stations in the Wenatchee area are recording small particulate levels that haven’t been recorded anywhere in Washington for at least 30 years, when the state started monitoring air quality, said state Department of Ecology spokeswoman Joye Redfield-Wilder. “This is unprecedented for as far back as we have monitoring data,” she said. It’s also the first time levels have pushed into hazard levels, and is about three times higher than any recordings made since Ecology started monitoring air quality in the 1980s, she said.

Still, Small said, some people don’t seem to be taking it seriously.

Since Sept. 11, when Wenatchee’s air was only “unhealthy,” the health district has put out daily alerts. The air quality in Wenatchee has hit hazardous levels every day since then.

Yet over the weekend, Small said she saw someone driving around in a convertible with its top down, a person jogging, and a young couple with packs strapped to their bicycles trekking through the valley. Not one of them was wearing a mask.

“I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, are people not paying attention?’” she said. “It kind of put me over the edge.”

On Tuesday, the health district issued an emergency declaration due to the prolonged problem. They’ve handed out N95 masks to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office for deputies who are out issuing evacuation notices, and provided many more to health practitioners for patients who come in with respiratory complaints.

Small said Ecology’s “good” to “hazardous” scale was developed to warn the public about air quality problems.

The numbers used on that scale are arbitrary, Redfield-Wilder said. But they do relate directly to the dangerous particulate matter that can lodge into the lungs, and won’t be coughed out.

Judy Bardin, epidemiologist for the Washington State Department of Health, said monitors are showing that Wenatchee’s air is 10 times worse than federal standards for clean air.

She said state health officials are concerned about the numbers, and particularly the prolonged inversion, and are ready to step in and help local health district if anything is needed.

“We often think that it’s just a concern for people with health problems, but truly, at this level, it could affect anyone,” said Janice Nolen, assistant vice president for the American Lung Association in Washington, D.C.

Nolen said even short-term exposure to high levels of pollution can have devastating impacts. The best known example is London’s Great Smog of 1952, which wasn’t thought to be significant at the time, but which studies later showed resulted in about 12,000 premature deaths.

The eight-day inversion in midwinter trapped coal smoke and other industrial emissions in the city.

“We aren’t sure if there’s a difference between burning wood and coal,” she said, but wood smoke certainly is not safe. “These are serious risks, and people should take them seriously,” she said. “They should stay indoors, and this is not the time to be exercising outdoors. If you can see the pollution, you don’t need to be breathing it.”

Nolen said it isn’t just respiratory problems people should watch.

“We’re talking about levels that can trigger a heart attack, or stroke,” she said. “And the people at risk is a broader group than you might think,” she said.

People with asthma, chronic bronchitis and COPD may feel it the most. But anyone with a cardiovascular disorder, high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes are also at greater risk.

In addition, anyone over 65 or under 18 years old should be particularly careful.

Nolen added that although cities across the west have experienced wildfires, not many have prolonged exposure to smoke due to inversion. “We had a situation in Fairbanks a few years back where it looked dark at noon. It’s not unheard of, but this doesn’t happen terribly often,” she said.

Robert Elleman, meteorologist for the Environmental Protection Agency in Seattle, said they’re watching the pollution levels, offering help to state agencies, and working with nearby American Indian tribes to enforce burn bans. “These are very high concentrations of pollution. They’re quite hazardous, and for it to happen so many days in a row — it is concerning and it is somewhat unusual,” he said.

Small said the longer this lasts, the more concerned the health district becomes.

“We’re asking employers to be more lenient with people who are symptomatic, or if they have to take care of a family member, or leave the area,” she said.

Schools in the Wenatchee Valley have canceled outside exercise, including sports practices.

Small added that some buildings, particularly those where doors are frequently opened and closed, may be as bad as outside. If people who work there are experiencing problems, they should go home, she said. And if their home is no better, they should consider leaving the area, or going to an American Red Cross air quality shelter. The Apple Valley Chapter has two shelters on standby, one at the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 5th and Western in Wenatchee and one at the Lake Chelan Senior Center on Trow Avenue in Chelan. Anyone wishing to use one of the shelters can call 663-3907.

And for everyone — not just those feeling symptoms — the health district recommends limiting your time spent outside, and wearing an N95 or P100 mask if you have to be outside for a long time.

“It’s a personal choice,” Small said, but added, “I think people are not taking this as seriously as maybe they should be.”

K.C. Mehaffey: 997-2512

mehaffey@wenatcheeworld.com

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» 37 comments on this story

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Meowzzz 9 months ago

Thank you for printing this! I too have seen people running around outside, doing yard work, driving around with their windows open, and NO MASKS! All I can do is shake my head and wonder.

ren01 9 months ago

yet kids are still standing at bus stops and walking to school every morning?! That's the most disturbing part to me about the schools staying open. Anything being done to help young walkers and bus riders avoid those types of transportation? Maybe the schools can help guide carpooling sign-ups for those parents who already take their kid or don't work everyday.

novarama 9 months ago

Well, I think it is understandable, given that our offices haven't closed and Wenatchee schools are open. Unless we are really sick (and my kids have each been out a day), the expectation seems to be that we soldier on. I find this article disturbing in that it states we are jeapordizing our health (worse than a lifetime of smoking?!) but no health agency has stepped in to say that people should evacuate for health reasons. That would lend some legitimacy to the issue and perhaps serve as an impetus for agencies to close until the air isn't hazardous to breathe.

Meowzzz 9 months ago

Parents need to provide masks for their children, or take them to school themselves. This is the responsibility of the parents to look after the welfare of their children. We all have to go to work during the day, therefore it is our responsibility to make sure we are taking care of ourselves by wearing a mask.

pmsager 9 months ago

Nope, we should hold the schools responsible for fixing ALL of society's problems. Thats what politicians do. Well said Meowzz!

treydimosio 9 months ago

Dude, if these people were on fire they still wouldn't leave. That's Wenatchee for ya...

KatyDid 9 months ago

The facts in this article are bone-chilling...

We all need to take responsibility for our own health and for the health of our families and yet, I drove into Wenatchee yesterday and other than a couple of elderly people, masks were few and far between. Children, babies, adults, seniors, all outside and pulling the smoke and particulates into their lungs as if it doesn't matter... where's the common sense?
One woman told me they were "uncomfortable" and another told me it looked "goofy". Seriously? Should we really care about comfort and fashion when it's clear by this article, the consequences we risk without a mask are dire and long-term?

Meowzzz 9 months ago

I agree Katy! I saw several people out walking today, one with a dog, no masks. Last night, I saw 2 children under the age of 5 playing out in their front yard, no masks, no supervision. I see people driving, windows down, no masks. I don't know what else you can do. People have been warned, they aren't taking it seriously. I hope people read this article and realize just how serious this really is. To those of you with kids---put masks on them. If you want to ruin your lungs, thats your decision, but don't do that to your kids.

KatyDid 9 months ago

I have a friend in Wenatchee who has no zero interest in getting a mask; she is hopeful this "will all pass soon". I've encouraged her on numerous occasions, but eventually, when it occurred to me that I was more concerned about her potential health risks than she was, I backed off and stopped worrying.

The warnings are there and the masks are available, the next step is personal responsibility. I may not understand their decision, but it's not my decision to made.

It's no different than the choice to smoke. I made the decision to quit smoking 20 years ago because I wanted to make the right decision for me and to do something good for my health, I'm not about to undo all those years in one fell swoop if I can help it! I just have to hope these other people realize that this is more serious than a little smoke in the air.

KatyDid 9 months ago

I will say though, I am sad to see the kids without masks. Those poor little lungs...

Meowzzz 9 months ago

It sounds like you have done all you can do. I agree, if your friend isn't concerned about her health as much as you are, then there isn't anything more you can do. :)

mellens 9 months ago

PAPER AND COTTON RESPIRATORS DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST SMOKE INHALATION! I have beside me a box of 3M tekk respirators. they clearly state "for sanding and fiberglass" and "will not protect against all particles" They will not protect against particles smaller than the human eye can see. If you keep this up you will have a lawsuit on your hands.

mellens 9 months ago

For those who need details they are an N95

antlisa 9 months ago

Then why do they continue to do so much back burning with these fires? How is that even allowed if they air quality for a community is so unhealthy? I understand that they have to work on the fire but the ways they have changed that through the years where they burn so much out a head of the fires it is creating this hazardous air.

York2 9 months ago

Just to let everyone know, today wed. Sept. 19 . Quincy has ash falling to the ground, from all the fires, Wenatchee is 30 miles away. This is unbelievable!

carol 9 months ago

Can someone define "short term exposure" Between the house(or work, store, school) and the car less than one minute. How long is short term exposure???

dwilliams 9 months ago

Does Mary Small really stand by the idea that this smoke is worse than "smoking for a lifetime"? If so, officials need to be raising the alarm in a more profound manner (emergency broadcasting system via radio and tv) to warn people of the serious health threat connected with not wearing a particulate mask outdoors. I was under the mistaken assumption that hazardous levels of air quality equated to a really bad day of LA smog, but this article makes it sound downright scary.

mehaffey 9 months ago

Yes, I called Mary this afternoon, and she stands by her statement. I plan to follow up, probably for Friday, after talking to other health experts. Mary Small said if people follow the precautions, it's fine to stay, and work outside. Everyone else I spoke with deferred to the local health district. I'll keep pushing for more answers. K.C. Mehaffey, reporter

dwilliams 9 months ago

I am curious as to what a person running a heat pump do, if anything regarding air conditioning. Doesn't a heat pump pull air from the outside in? Will a hepa filter on the intake reduce any particles enough that it's okay to run it? Does anyone have an answer to this?

Suz 9 months ago

Dave, we have one too and I shut the whole thing down last week.

jonnylingo 9 months ago

I want to see the data. I doubt that this is even close to inhaling smoke from a cigarette for a few days, not to mention a lifetime. We are at 350-450 Units, which has been deemed "hazardous". How many units are in cigarette smoke? The density of cig smoke far exceeds the density of our air. And cig smoke is laden with many toxic additives. While I think it is certainly unhealthy to be outside, to say it is as dangerous as "smoking for a lifetime" discredits the author's and Mary Small's claims.

sutherland 9 months ago

all we have is a window air-conditioner. Will that filter out the smoke effectively?

dwilliams 9 months ago

How does the information in this article line-up with the Chelan/Douglas Health District's previous statement that, "Typically, even after two or three weeks of exposure to wildfire smoke it does not have long-term health effects."? Please ask the health district this question, K.C. Mehaffey.

rosscrollard 9 months ago

Being in the healthcare field, my thoughts turned in a different direction. I think the Center for Disease Control or another healthcare research organization should be contacted to do research on both short and long-term effects of this hazardous air. Gathering data on acute lung conditions over the next few months and even monitoring various respiratory conditions and disease states for several years would prove beneficial on what to advise and caution the public when this occurs again in the future.

cwk5_15 9 months ago

Hello Wenatchee World readers! Asthmatic here, and I don't know why everyone is so concerned. Maybe it's because I've been staying inside a lot, maybe it's mind over matter, maybe I'm in that "magic" window between 18 and my 50+ years of age I don't know. Maybe it's because I live in East Wenatchee upriver and my wife makes me eat my vegetables, or because we leave our air purifier on all day, but I haven't used my inhaler all week.

If the air quality is SO dangerous that schools are closing and doctors are suggesting people leave town because of the air, why isn't everyone? I don't know about you guys, but me, I have bills to pay and less than no money to pay them if I and my wife leave our part-time jobs and run away from a litle "bad air".

If the government wants to step in and pay all my minimum payments on my bills for the foreseable future, while I tuck tail and run away, I will. Since the government is more in debt than I am, and I hate politics, I'm gonna stick around.

If the firefighters leave and let the state burn, or if I start feeling the "effects" everyone else complains about, I'll go. If the state declares an "emergency" and we're TOLD to leave, not suggested, I'll go. If my place becomes at risk for fire, (unlikely) or if the REST of my family calls asking if I'm "OK" every two days, then I'll go.

However, I'm stubborn, still "fine" and not running around with my hair on fire, so I'll stay. But I don't have to like everyone else whining about it.

dwilliams 9 months ago

Mixed Reviews for Wenatchee World

Last night’s Wenatchee World had some good information on our smoke problems, but the article headed “Just how bad is it?” went way over the top in some ways. Yes, we want people to take this seriously. No, comparing it to a 1952 event that killed thousands of people makes no sense. So we want to repeat Public Health’s basic message, and talk a bit about how people can rationally think through the risks.

Our basic message has two parts:

For people with certain health problems – like asthma, COPD or emphysema, and cardiovascular disease – the effects can be dangerous. Anyone with such health problems should take this situation seriously! Talk to your health care provider about it, and consider leaving the area for a few days if you are having smoke-related problems. Some people who have never had an asthma attack may have one in these conditions – if that happens to you or your child, call or visit a doctor immediately. For other people, who do not already have such problems, there is no clear evidence of long term health effects from a week or two of wildfire smoke exposure. That is not to say it is pleasant or completely harmless. Even otherwise healthy people can have burning eyes and nose, cough, headache and other symptoms from smoke exposure day after day. For everyone, it makes sense to do all you can to minimize your exposure, especially for children. But for most people this is a matter of short term discomfort rather than long term health problems. What about London in 1952, when according to WenWorld 4,000 to 12,000 people died? For one thing, their smoke was even worse than ours. At some points pedestrians could not see their own feet. For another, it was a very different kind of pollution, leaving a black acidic slime on exposed surfaces. Finally, it happened in a population that had already been exposed for years to bad air pollution. Our population usually breathes good air. It is a good historic example of the dangers of bad air, but not a very good guide to our situation today. The reporter had to go all the way to a minor Lung Association official in Washington, DC, to get such a good scare quote.

dwilliams 9 months ago

So how should we think about our risks? As we keep saying, there is no clear evidence of long term harm from a week or two exposure to wildfire smoke in a community. We’ve already discussed the seriousness of the situation for those with health problems. For the rest of us, there are two levels of concern. There is the immediate discomfort, and each of us decides for herself how bad that is. Then there is the fear of the unknown, especially for our loved ones. No one can say for certain that there is absolutely no risk for anyone. Science has its limitations, and the best we can do is to tell you what is known so far. But if there is a longer term risk, it is a relatively small one, since a really big risk (like the events in London 1952) would have shown up already in studies. In 1952 officials may have missed the boat completely, but Wenatchee World might want to note that science has accomplished a few things since then.

Thinking about small risks can be tricky, so it helps to have an everyday comparison. It’s a lot like deciding to drive to Seattle to get out of the bad air. The risks of car travel are small, but if your number comes up a collision can be very bad. If you feel completely safe when you’re driving to Seattle, think again. Our best evidence suggests any long term risk related to the smoke (for people without those health problems) is similar. No, of course it’s not completely safe. If you can leave, that’s a great idea. Many people cannot leave and some are not even very irritated by the smoke. If you cannot tolerate the idea of any risk whatsoever from the smoke, leaving the area for a while is the only alternative, if you’re willing to take the risk of another road trip. In truth, there is no option free of some small level of risk. If you have to stay, minimize your exposure by staying indoors, using masks when out and around, and limiting exertion.

Fear isn’t a good basis for decision making. We’re sorry Wenatchee World indulged in it. But you don’t have to. Realize that no option is completely risk free, and make choices that work best for your situation. Public Health will continue to share information with the community as it becomes available.

Chelan-Douglas Health District

September 20, 2012

vaillance 9 months ago

Were the above comments written by you, D. Williams, or by Barry Kling, Administrator for Chelan-Douglas County Health Department? The Wenatchee School District has attributed these comments to Barry Kling and has placed a link to these two nonscientific musings in a prominent place on their website. Am I to gather that these random comments reflect the official stance of the Wenatchee School District? I find this very disturbing. Please clarify...

dwilliams 9 months ago

They were written by Barry Kling. I simply copied and pasted them here.

Lamb 9 months ago

I very much appreciate the comments from the CDHD and the perspective they give to this whole situation.

pmsager 9 months ago

Great Comments dwilliams, this is also printed on the Eastmont School District's website. I was one of the parents that panicked when reading the World's article and was in an uproar like others on here about the decision for schools to stay open. Then we hear the other side of the story from a health professional. I guess I should not be suprised, this is not the first time this rag hasn't exactly gotten all their facts right. It also seems that the news media's industry standard is to generate profits by playing on fear.

I just think the media should be responsible for their actions like everyone else. The warning is good but once again they dont have facts to back up their statements. Too bad their printing shop isnt closer to canyon #2?

kyook 9 months ago

"Too bad their printing shop isnt closer to canyon #2?"

Is this a round-about way of saying that it would be a good thing if the WW printing shop burned to the ground?

"I just think the media should be responsible for their actions like everyone else."

Should people also be responsible for their words?

Bad form, pmsager. Ever hear of karma?

mizmaus 9 months ago

I found the first dead chickens when I went out to feed this morning. It's only a small flock;24, and in 4 years, I've lost only one before. It caught it's head in a fence. These today appear to have fallen straight down off their perches during the night and were stiff and blue. Disconcerting to say the least.

Meowzzz 9 months ago

Oh my---that is horrible! Everyone-----please keep your animals inside, if you can. Chickens are obviously a little different. Scary stuff!

mizmaus 9 months ago

I like the interactive quality of the "smoke map on your home page but question, again,, its air quality range numbers. This is the link from dept of ecology explaining theirs: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/App_AQI/AQI.en-US.pdf So, I guess at the point we've reached here in Wenatchee, it really doesn't matter. Once it starts getting better, I think the numbers will make people feel better.

dwilliams 9 months ago

mizmaus, the info about your chickens is disconcerting! How many chickens died?

TerryFinn 9 months ago

Would like a better understanding of just what is in the smoke. It is certainly burned wood but also other kinds of plants, brush, dust, debris. Then there are our normal brew of evaporating water, gasoline, inustrial output, as well as pollutants that drift here from other areas ...all mixed together and then heated by the sun.