18 November-December 2008 Applegater
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Opinion
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What’s with the haze?
899 1942
BY TOM CARSTENS
FineȱFood,ȱWineȱandȱSpiritsȱfromȱtheȱBestȱ
FarmersȱandȱFoodȱPurveyorsȱofȱOurȱRegion!ȱ
www.thegardenatmccully.com
Boy, this past summer was a doozy for haze,
wasn’t it? Th e cause, of course, has been all the
wildfi res burning just over the border in California.
Every now and then, the weather conditions are just
right for some of that smoke to reach our valley.
What’s in that haze, anyway?
In rural areas like ours, haze almost always
results from combustion of woody bio-mass—in
summer, the culprit is wildfire, in winter it’s
usually slash pile burning or emissions from older
woodstoves. An inversion air layer (i.e., colder air
trapped beneath warmer air) develops in the valley,
which prevents the air containing the smoke from
rising up and dissipating. Dissipation also can be
aff ected when the air is very calm, so wind doesn’t
get rid of the air, either. Th at’s why, before we burn,
we have to call the air ventilation index number in
Jackson County at 541-776-7007, or in Josephine
County at 541-476-9663. If the ventilation index is
high enough (400 or above), then the valley won’t get
choked with smoke. Th is is also why both counties
have had to adopt EPA standards for woodstoves and
their operation. Newer woodstoves actually burn
almost all of their own smoke, so particle emissions
are very minimal.
Why all the concern with the smoke?
Besides cutting visibility, it can cause stinging
eyes, runny noses, burning throats, coughing, and
even bronchitis. But the health concerns are really
much more serious, because the most dangerous
aspects are those we may not even be aware of. Th e
haze contains some very unhealthy stuff ...stuff like
carbon monoxide, which in the concentrations
we experience, is an irritant to our respiratory
systems. It also is full of suspended solid stuff , called
particulate matter, abbreviated “PM.” Ongoing
scientifi c research has pinpointed the really small
particulate matter as a serious health issue, because
these microscopic particles can penetrate the lower
reaches of the lungs, sometimes lodging in the small
alveoli (air sacs) where oxygen enters the bloodstream
and carbon dioxide is expelled. Th e worst of these
particles are the really small ones, called PM 2.5
because they’re only 2.5 microns in diameter. As
you can see from the diagram, this is about 30 times
smaller than the diameter of a human hair!
What’s the problem?
PM 2.5 primarily aff ects the cardiovascular
and pulmonary systems of all of us. But those
most at risk are those with less than healthy hearts
or lungs. Research suggests there is a higher risk
of heart attack. Research has shown that children,
asthmatics, and the elderly also suff er increased risk.
Higher risk groups defi nitely should try to limit
exposure to this poor quality air by staying inside if
possible. All of us should try to limit our physical
activity outside.
Because of these health concerns, EPA has
adopted stringent PM 2.5 air quality standards.
Th e healthy air standard is 35 micrograms per cubic
meter of air, which equates to an air quality index
(AQI) of 50. A PM 2.5 air quality index over 150
is basically unhealthy for everyone.
Air quality is monitored all over the state;
all of Oregon is currently in compliance. Th e
monitoring station in the Applegate Valley is
located at Provolt. It continually samples our
air quality. You can access this information very
easily by going to the DEQ website at www. deq.
state.or.us/aqi. You can receive recent Applegate
Valley daily readings by clicking on “Past AQI’s”
and up-to-the minute information by clicking on
“Hourly Data.” Or you can see hourly pollution
indices for any region of Oregon by clicking on
“Air Quality Index” at the Quick Link section of
the DEQ home page.
So, if we’re in compliance, why the fuss?
Th e problem is that air quality results are
24-hour rolling averages. Within any 24-hour
period, the air quality can deteriorate rapidly and
then improve just as quickly without making much
of a dent in the overall averages. Additionally, local
conditions can vary—the monitor might not pick
up poor air quality in a side valley, for example, or
wind direction can skew results.
What can we do to cut our risk?
When it gets thick out there, it’s best to
curtail outdoor physical activity. Put off mowing
the lawn for another day. Settle indoors with your
windows closed. If you have an air conditioner
or air fi lter, turn it on. Try to think of something
for the kids to do inside. For those of you who
don’t have the option of retreating indoors, you
can purchase face masks that will help fi lter out
the microscopic particles. Look for the PM 2.5
standard.
(Thanks to the Jackson County Office
of Environmental Health for helping with this
article.)
Tom Carstens • 541-846-1025
Come Ye! Come Ye!
to the
At Pacifica, A Garden in the Siskiyous
Saturday, December 6, 2008
10 am to 5 pm
Festive Holiday atmosphere with quality arts and crafts, children’s activities,
live music and great food in a beautiful setting.
Pacifica, a non-profit community resource, is located at
14615 Watergap Road, in Williams, Oregon .
There is no charge for admission!