LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) wants residents to monitor the air quality with spring burning season underway.
Over the next eight to 10 weeks, controlled burning across southern portions of the U.S. Great Plains may cause elevated levels of smoke in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Windy weather conditions combined with persistent drought throughout portions of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas have also resulted in several large wildfires in the past one to two weeks.
Breathing smoke can cause health issues, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory or heart conditions. When air quality is poor, LLCHD says to watch for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or chest pain. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should contact a health care provider. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and have quick relief medicine readily available.
The air quality levels are color-coded on the Air Quality Index (AQI) chart as follows:
- AQI values below 100 (green or yellow) are not expected to cause health problems for the vast majority of people.
- AQI values between 101 and 150 (orange) indicate that air quality is unhealthy for individuals with higher sensitivity to air pollution. Children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory or heart conditions should reduce the amount of time spent outdoors and reduce exertion during outdoor activities.
- AQI values higher than 150 (red, purple and maroon) indicate that air quality is unhealthy for all people. Outdoor activities should be moved indoors or rescheduled to a time when air quality will be better. Children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory or heart conditions should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion during outdoor activities. All others should reduce the amount of time spent outdoors and reduce exertion during outdoor activities.
Residents can view the Air Quality Index (AQI) at airnow.gov, which is updated hourly.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also provides the AirNow and SmokeSense smart phone applications to help people stay informed of the AQI in their area.
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