DNR issues air quality alert
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Watch for all Wisconsin counties starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday and continuing through 11 p.m. Monday.
The watch was issued because of a forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air, according to a news release.
Fine-particle pollution includes microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust and wood burning.
The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. People in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period.
People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to symptoms such chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms, the DNR said.
The public can reduce its contributions to the problem by:
-- Reducing driving and not leaving engines idling. -- Postponing activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines. -- Minimizing wood burning. -- Conserving electricity.
Feb 13, 2009 at 11:59 p.m.
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ah booch... I guess you never read the comments after your post in the last air pollution alert thread; hope you read these....
Feb 10, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.
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Great illustrations to describe how and why...
http://www.healthyairdane.org/documents/...
Feb 10, 2009 at 9:53 a.m.
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I thank them for doing this. Sometimes you wonder why your allergies and asthma are acting up in the winter and then you get this and know why. I suffer from allergies and a little asthma and they have not been too great lately. I'm grateful for these alerts and it can help you regulate your meds.
Feb 9, 2009 at 7:43 p.m.
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--Quite a few years back, my aunt asked her daughter to take her to the hospital, as her breathing was very labored. N took her mom to the local hospital, dropped her off with the emergency staff, then drove around looking for a parking place. N ran back into the hospital, but it was too late. She didn't get to say goodbye. It was a day like today. My aunt had been in and out of iron lungs for quite a few years. N thought they'd put her mom in the unit. They never made it, she died enroute.
--It does happen. Maybe not to a typical person on the street, but if anyone has problems like this, the particulates in the air can infiltrate the lungs...inflammation of the lungs, irritated bronchial tubes, shortness of breath, lack of oxygen to the heart. I hope all who have such problems are taking it easy during this alert.
--Rest in Peace, Aunt R (1929-1990)
--Perhaps those of you who think this type of alert is all fun and games would like to visit a hospital, clinic, etc., on a day like this. . .
Feb 9, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
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It's probably not worth it to argue with someone who doesn't believe clean air is important. You're just ... wasting breath.
Feb 9, 2009 at 7:36 a.m.
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booch11~I hope you woke up on the right side of the bed today. People do die from heart & lung disease. To help them avoid complications DNR is letting them know that today the air is even worse than the air any other day. I for one have heart disease & am happy to know that I shouldn't be outside doing things to increase my heart rate today. I wouldn't want to end up being a patient in my own place of work.
I for one will say the census has gone up in one of the local hospitals last night & today. Lots of heart & lung patients. Don't know if there is a connection but it's kind of interesting.
Feb 9, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
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booch11 wrote: "has anyone died from going outside on days these notices are given?
better question: could anyone die from breathing the air on a day like today?"
The answer to both of those questions is "Yes."
Many recent medical studies have found that the rate of deaths from asthma and heart attack rise with the pollution levels and stay high for a couple of days after the pollutant levels decrease. Hospital admissions for non-fatal asthma and heart/vascular problems have also been found to increase in proportion to pollutant levels. Pollution warnings allow those who are aware of the dangers to do what they can to avoid preventable asthma and heart attacks, which also, likely, saves a great deal more tax money than giving the warnings costs.
Feb 9, 2009 at 5:47 a.m.
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The advisory is issued in the entire state, so it's not like it would have been a GM local matter. I'm not sure, but I think this has more to do with particular weather patterns predicted for today. I doubt all of a sudden pollution from power plants and cars and everything else jumped up for today. Maybe one of those effects where there's a layer in the atmosphere that develops and reflects all wind back down to the ground; I think it's called an inversion.
Feb 9, 2009 at 5:12 a.m.
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Hummm... Wonder what the folks out at the Milton ethanol plant think... Managment used to like to blame these alerts on the big dog... Now that GM's closed, who are they going to blame? The DNR tested UE again late last week because they're still in violation of their air permit, in "particular" on particulate matter... Think there's a connection to this alert?
Feb 9, 2009 at 4:24 a.m.
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HEY MORONS>>>> Some of us are really affected by this, (people with Heart and or lung disease) We take heed to these alerts, it keeps us from going to the hospital or our doctors....
Feb 8, 2009 at 11:28 p.m.
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seiously, what part of my tax dollars go to oay for this crap?
has anyone died from going outside on days these notices are given?
better question: could anyone die from breathing the air on a day like today?
Feb 8, 2009 at 10:38 p.m.
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has anyone stepped out side lately and smelled to cool crisp air? I think the DNR must be controled by a bunch of pinko commies!
Feb 8, 2009 at 10:09 p.m.
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No wonder I have been coughing all day... Opened the window for fresh air
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