Sacramento Has Had More ‘Code Red’ Air Quality Days This Year Than It’s Had In Nearly A Decade
“Fine particulate matter that you find in wildfire smoke is very unhealthy to breathe,” said Lori Kobza, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Air Quality Management District. “Not only does it get into your lungs, it gets into your blood stream. It can trigger cardiac problems and other respiratory problems.”
Sacramento Bee:
No Easy Breathing: The Smoke In Sacramento Hasn’t Been This Bad In Nearly A Decade
Air quality related to fine particulate matter was expected to hit “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” levels for the seventh time this year in the Sacramento region on Wednesday, more “code red” or worse days than any other year since at least 2009, according to the latest data from local air districts. (Reese and Finch, 11/14)
California Healthline:
For Wildfire Safety, Only Particular Masks Guard Against Toxic Particulate Matter
Toby Lewsadder stepped outside an Ace Hardware store wearing a simple one-strap dust mask. He knew it wasn’t the right defense against the wildfire smoke lingering in the air, but it was all he could find. The local hardware stores he checked Tuesday didn’t have the more substantial respirator mask that public health officials recommend to defend against the harmful wildfire smoke that is blanketing communities across the state. One pharmacy he contacted was selling surgical masks for only a quarter. (Young and Ibarra, 11/15)