ASTHMATICS TROUBLED BY SMOKY SKIES POLLUTION FROM FIRE CAN MAKE IT HARD TO BREATHE, EXPERTS WARN.Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer Smoke from the Topanga Fire blanketed the skies from Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. to the Channel Islands on Thursday, choking residents in the path of the flames and irritating asthma sufferers in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and elsewhere in the Los Angeles Basin The Los Angeles Basin is the coastal sediment-filled plain located between the peninsular and transverse ranges in southern California in the United States containing the central part of the city of Los Angeles as well as its southern and southeastern suburbs (both in Los Angeles . Fine particles Fine particles are an air pollutant mainly produced by cars running on diesel. Other sources are the combustion of fossil fuels in power plants and various industrial processes. and soot from burning vegetation can be inhaled and swallowed, tickling the throat and nose and stinging the eyes. The smoke is particularly rough on those with respiratory problems, making it more difficult to breathe, causing chest pain and triggering asthma attacks. Even healthy people were warned to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise if they can smell smoke or see ash. ``I certainly wouldn't go for a jog,'' said Mallory Ham, air pollution meteorologist with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. ``We just want people to pay attention to the air-quality forecasts and smoke advisories. With the air quality index this high, we want people to adjust outdoor activities. If you're an asthmatic, you should just stay indoors.'' Schools in San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas kept the windows closed and the students inside because of the thick, smoky air. ``It's tough for everybody. It's like a rainy day, usually schools have planned activities,'' said Karen Maiorca, director of nursing for the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. . ``Any kind of exercise in the smoke is going to cause problems.'' Burning brush and vegetation creates microscopic particles that are 30 times thinner than a human hair. The nose and upper airways upper airways A term that encompasses the nasal passages, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx. Cf Lower airways. usually filter out the larger particles, but the fine particles travel deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Studies have linked high levels of fine particulate matter particulate matter n. Abbr. PM Material suspended in the air in the form of minute solid particles or liquid droplets, especially when considered as an atmospheric pollutant. Noun 1. with increased rates of heart attacks and emergency room visits. ``People should use good common sense,'' said Keith Duval, compliance manager for Ventura County APCD APCD Associate Peace Corps Director APCD Air Pollution Control District APCD Associação Paulista de Cirurgiões Dentistas (São Paulo, Brazil) APCD Air Pollution Control Device APCD Assistant Peace Corps Director . ``If they're struggling with breathing or feel heaviness in the chest, or irritation of sinus and eyes, there's a good chance they are being affected by smoke.'' Kerry Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3746 kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Skateboarder Nick O'Bryen, 16, has his own solution for dealing with the smoky air in Oak Park. Even healthy people can be bothered by the pollution. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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