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Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
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News Release
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Release date: Sept. 15, 2016
Contacts: Katherine Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist,
Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us
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Salem,
OR – Air quality in Salem is being adversely impacted by a fire at Brown’s
Island Compost Facility and other fires in the area and the Oregon Department
of Environmental Quality is urging residents in certain groups to take
precautions.
Air quality readings for the last 24 hours
at the Salem State Hospital monitor are yellow or moderate meaning air quality
may pose a risk to those unusually sensitive to air pollution. Earlier in the
day the 24-hour readings were orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups. When
readings are orange, people with heart disease or lung disease, children and
older adults should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Although air quality in the Salem area is
currently in the moderate range, conditions could change due to weather and
changes in fire activity.
Visit the Air Quality Index for the latest one- and 24-hour air quality readings. To
sign up for air quality alerts in your area visit AirNow’s Enviroflash.
High smoke levels can create health problems for even healthy
people so remember to limit your exposure to smoke by keeping windows and doors
closed, reducing the time you spend in smoky areas and avoiding strenuous
outdoor activity. The elderly, children and those with respiratory diseases can
be particularly vulnerable to the effects of smoke.
Visit the Oregon Smoke Blog for more information on air
quality, along with tools to help you assess smoke levels in their area. The
site is an effort by city, county, tribal, state and federal agencies to
provide information for Oregon