rockin'robin
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Authorities Urge People To Stay Inside, Avoid Strenuous Activity
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The man who oversees air quality monitoring for the city of Jacksonville said that particulate levels at noon Wednesday went "off the chart."
For the third day in a row, the Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department monitors show Wednesday's air quality is unhealthy as smoke from massive wildfires in southeast Georgia continues to shroud the area in a thick haze. [COJ's Air Quality Index]
"We have not experienced this in the time I've been here, and I've been with the agency for 35 years," Steve Pace told Channel 4. "You don't want people breathing it. It's a fine particulate, not the ash you see floating down."
Pace said that while Wednesday's noon reading was higher than he'd ever seen, the level dropped in the afternoon to merely unhealthy.
Pace said that while Wednesday's noon reading was higher than he'd ever seen, the level dropped in the afternoon to merely unhealthy.
Particulate matter is one of only six things measured to assess air quality, but it is considered the most troublesome because it gets deepest into the lungs.
Video: Residents Cope With Smoke In Air
Smoke In Hospitals, Nursing Homes
iShot News Images: Fire, Smoke, Ash
The smoke is complicated by weather conditions that are driving temperatures near 100 degrees, and the humidity was also high.
Channel 4 chief meteorologist John Gaughan said the weather pattern should change about noon Thursday, pushing the smoke further inland and helping clear the air from the beaches through downtown.
City officials urged children, the elderly and sensitive individuals to take steps to avoid exposure by staying inside or refraining from strenuous outdoor activity. Any outdoor activities should be planned for times when particulate levels are lower.
Dr. Jose Irazuzta with the pediatric critical care unit of Wolfson Children's Hospital said they have treated a large number of children with asthma who are struggling to breathe.
"If your child has any propensity for asthma or bronchitis, you should check with your doctor. It may be a good time to start a treatment before the symptoms happen," Irazuzta said. "Try to keep the children playing indoors. Keep the air conditioners running. Please check your filters.
The Clay and St. Johns County health departments have also issued health advisories because of smoke in the area.
Irazuzta said spending time outside in these conditions is like spending an evening in a smoky bar.
SLIDESHOW:
Smoky Scenes Downtown
"It's pretty much the same respiratory challenge than if you go outside and start working on the yard or start running," Irazuzta said.
For those who are especially sensitive to the smoke, wearing a mask may be helpful. Medical experts urge people to avoid the smoke by limiting exposure outdoors.
Wolfson, as well as Baptist Medical Center, are measuring the air quality within the hospital to ensure the health of patients. While carbon monoxide levels are measuring below dangerous levels, the hospitals are putting mobile HEPA filters in its intensive care unit rooms as a precaution.
"It was really bad. I couldn't see the tops of buildings downtown. (I) couldn't step outside," said Matt Dangelantonio.
Visibility on Wednesday morning at Jacksonville International Airport was down to one-quarter mile; a half-mile of visibility was reported at Cecil Field. Visibility also improved in the afternoon.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office issued a driving alert Wednesday afternoon, urging motorist to drive with caution, leaving low-beam lights on, keeping speed down and using the painted road markings on the right edge of the road as a guide.
City: 'Worst Air Quality In 35 Years' - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The man who oversees air quality monitoring for the city of Jacksonville said that particulate levels at noon Wednesday went "off the chart."
For the third day in a row, the Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department monitors show Wednesday's air quality is unhealthy as smoke from massive wildfires in southeast Georgia continues to shroud the area in a thick haze. [COJ's Air Quality Index]
"We have not experienced this in the time I've been here, and I've been with the agency for 35 years," Steve Pace told Channel 4. "You don't want people breathing it. It's a fine particulate, not the ash you see floating down."
Pace said that while Wednesday's noon reading was higher than he'd ever seen, the level dropped in the afternoon to merely unhealthy.
Pace said that while Wednesday's noon reading was higher than he'd ever seen, the level dropped in the afternoon to merely unhealthy.
Particulate matter is one of only six things measured to assess air quality, but it is considered the most troublesome because it gets deepest into the lungs.
Video: Residents Cope With Smoke In Air
Smoke In Hospitals, Nursing Homes
iShot News Images: Fire, Smoke, Ash
The smoke is complicated by weather conditions that are driving temperatures near 100 degrees, and the humidity was also high.
Channel 4 chief meteorologist John Gaughan said the weather pattern should change about noon Thursday, pushing the smoke further inland and helping clear the air from the beaches through downtown.
City officials urged children, the elderly and sensitive individuals to take steps to avoid exposure by staying inside or refraining from strenuous outdoor activity. Any outdoor activities should be planned for times when particulate levels are lower.
Dr. Jose Irazuzta with the pediatric critical care unit of Wolfson Children's Hospital said they have treated a large number of children with asthma who are struggling to breathe.
"If your child has any propensity for asthma or bronchitis, you should check with your doctor. It may be a good time to start a treatment before the symptoms happen," Irazuzta said. "Try to keep the children playing indoors. Keep the air conditioners running. Please check your filters.
The Clay and St. Johns County health departments have also issued health advisories because of smoke in the area.
Irazuzta said spending time outside in these conditions is like spending an evening in a smoky bar.
SLIDESHOW:
Smoky Scenes Downtown
"It's pretty much the same respiratory challenge than if you go outside and start working on the yard or start running," Irazuzta said.
For those who are especially sensitive to the smoke, wearing a mask may be helpful. Medical experts urge people to avoid the smoke by limiting exposure outdoors.
Wolfson, as well as Baptist Medical Center, are measuring the air quality within the hospital to ensure the health of patients. While carbon monoxide levels are measuring below dangerous levels, the hospitals are putting mobile HEPA filters in its intensive care unit rooms as a precaution.
"It was really bad. I couldn't see the tops of buildings downtown. (I) couldn't step outside," said Matt Dangelantonio.
Visibility on Wednesday morning at Jacksonville International Airport was down to one-quarter mile; a half-mile of visibility was reported at Cecil Field. Visibility also improved in the afternoon.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office issued a driving alert Wednesday afternoon, urging motorist to drive with caution, leaving low-beam lights on, keeping speed down and using the painted road markings on the right edge of the road as a guide.
City: 'Worst Air Quality In 35 Years' - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
I wonder if it is as bad as Los Angeles' air quality. I hear they have the poorest air quality of the United States.
