News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Gorman
Tucson, Arizona (June 1, 2011) - The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a smoke advisory due to smoke from wildfires burning near Tubac and Sonoita. People living in the area who are sensitive to smoke are urged to take appropriate precautions if they smell smoke.
Individuals with respiratory or heart disease and the elderly may experience respiratory symptoms. If individuals are sensitive to particulate pollution, they may want to reduce their exposure to outside air.
This advisory will be in effect while current conditions persist.
Typical symptoms related to short-term smoke exposure can include itchy eyes, coughing, and upper-airway irritation. Other possible health effects are headache, dizziness and nausea.
People with conditions such as asthma or other respiratory problems should:
• avoid exposure to smoke
• reduce level of exertion when in smoky areas
• close doors and windows
• use air conditioning rather than evaporative cooling
PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 18 air-quality monitoring sites. Up-to-the-hour air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.airinfonow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.
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