Smoke affecting activities locally

The wildfire smoke in the air, which may come from this or that fire depending on which way the wind is blowing, is unpleasant and unhealthy to breathe, and has an effect on local events.

Grand Coulee Dam School District leaders discussed air quality at their board meeting on Sept. 12 when Superintendent Paul Turner discussed http://www.purpleair.com, showing how sensors installed at volunteer locations measure air quality. Local sensors on the network include one south of Osborn Bay, one near Spring Canyon, one in downtown Grand Coulee, another in east Coulee Dam, and one near Nespelem.

Those help cover a large hole in the map of official state sensors in this area that measure particles so tiny they can stay in the human body for a long time, even in the blood.

Those measure particles in the air referred to as PM2.5, smaller than 2.5 microns, about a hundredth the width of a human hair. A micron is a thousandth of a meter. 

A soccer game scheduled in Grand Coulee Tuesday was canceled due to the poor air quality, and event organizers are hoping that will improve for the Run The Dam Festival being held on Friday and Saturday. 

A state Department of Health chart shows recommendations for how schools should view  various levels of bad air for recess, physical education, and athletic practices and events.

Children are more sensitive to health effects from breathing in PM2.5 because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air than adults for their body weight,” the chart explains. “Children with health conditions, such as asthma, have an even higher risk of health effects, including asthma attacks.”

The DOH guidance notes that adult staff and volunteers may also be sensitive to air pollution. Symptoms from PM2.5 exposure range from minor to severe and include burning eyes, coughing, throat and nose irritation, fatigue, headache, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

The chart is in the state departments of Health and Ecology study called “Wildfire Smoke Guidance for Canceling Events or Activities and Closing Schools” published in April 2022.

“Fine particle pollution,” measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air, isn’t a problem when that level is under 50; there are no restrictions.

When that level is 51-100, children with health conditions should be able to opt out of activities or remain inside. 

101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, the chart says, and children’s (18 and under) events should be canceled or moved.

At 151-200, air is described as unhealthy, and children should stay indoors and keep activity level light.

When the air outside is above 200, it’s considered “hazardous” and indoor air filtration is stressed.

Purple Air, as of 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 13, showed sensors in the coulee area as reading between 140 and 151.

The Star published an article last week titled “Fire danger still looms” that detailed fires in Washington, tips for dealing with smoke, and helpful links related to air quality and wildfires.

That article can be found online at https://www.grandcoulee.com/story/2022/09/07/news/fire-danger-still-looms/15717.html. 

The “Guidance for Canceling Events or Activities and Closing Schools” report can be found at https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/4300//334-428-WildfireSmokeClosureGuidance_final3.pdfWildfireSmokeClosureGuidance_final3.pdf