News Release

For Immediate Release                                        

Contact:     

Beth Gorman
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality
(520) 740-3340

Danielle LeCompte Zaleski
American Lung Association of Arizona
(520) 323-1812   

Tucson, Arizona (July 13, 2005)

Smoke Advisory

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality and the American Lung Association of Arizona are issuing a smoke advisory for the area near the Santa Rita mountain fire, which includes the Green Valley, Sahuarita and Corona de Tucson area. People living in this 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. Smoke levels tend to be higher in the early morning hours due to temperature inversions. This advisory will be in effect while current weather conditions exist.

Typical symptoms related to short-term exposure to smoke may include itchy eyes, coughing, and upper airway irritation. Other potential health effects may include headache, dizziness, and nausea. People with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or other respiratory problems should:

• avoid exposure to smoke;

• close doors and windows; and

• use air conditioning rather than evaporative coolers, if available.

Air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website www.airinfonow.org or by calling the PDEQ hotline at (520) 882-4AIR.

For more information on lung health issues, contact the ALAA at (520) 323-1812 or www.lungaz.org.

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