Lane County Public Health Urges Oakridge Area Residents To Seek Respite From Hazardous Air And Offers Help To Do So

Posted on FlashAlert: October 14th, 2022 3:55 PM

OAKRIDGE, OR—Due to ongoing hazardous air quality in the Oakridge/Westfir areas of East Lane County, Lane County Public Health (LCPH) is urging residents in those areas to be mindful of the longterm health impacts of continued exposure to poor air quality, and seek respite when possible.

“Typically during periods of poor air quality we focus on warning the very young, the very old, and those with preexisting cardiovascular or pulmonary disease of health impacts,” said Lane County Public Health Officer, Dr. Lisandra Guzman, “but in situations like what we are seeing in the Oakridge area, continued exposure to hazardous air can cause short and longterm health impacts for all community members.”

To help Oakridge area residents seek respite from the hazardous air, LCPH has partnered with Oakridge Air and Willamalane to offer free all-access memberships to the Willamalane Park Swim Center, Bob Keefer Center, and Camp Putt which will be good through November. To obtain a free membership, simply visit the front desk of any Willamalane facility and show proof of residency in the Oakridge area with an ID card, utility bill, or similar.
Oakridge area residents who are in need of additional resources should visit: oakridgeair.org.

As always, during times of poor air quality, the following tips can help reduce health impacts:

1.   Pay attention to air quality reports for Lane County:  www.lrapa.org

2.   Keep your indoor air as clean as possible.

·  Keep windows and doors closed unless it is very hot outside.

·   Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.

·   Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed.

3.   Use an air filter if one is available. Use a freestanding indoor air filter with particle removal to help protect people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions and the elderly and children from the effects of wildfire smoke. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on filter replacement and where to place the device.

4.   Do not add to indoor pollution.

·   When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles and fireplaces.

·  Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home.

·   Do not smoke tobacco or other products, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.

5.   Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease or cardiovascular disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

6.   Masks can offer protection. An “N95” mask, properly worn, will offer some protection. If you decide to keep a mask on hand, see the Respirator Fact Sheet provided by CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

7.   Avoid smoke exposure during outdoor recreation.