The air looks bad, so what do I do? Erik Saganić DOH Enviro Health Workshop November 2017

Many Health Effects from Air Pollution Reduced lung function Heart attacks Strokes Premature death Cancer

Who is affected? “Sensitive Groups” Expectant mothers Children People living with heart or lung disease Undiagnosed older adults Higher respiratory rate, and still in development

Colors to describe air quality Called the Air Quality Index: Based on 24-hours of air! All the health studies are based on 24-hour exposures. No shorter-term health guidance from the literature. Color Category Green GOOD Yellow MODERATE Orange UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS Red UNHEALTHY Purple VERY UNHEALTHY Maroon HAZARDOUS

How we communicate air quality Forecast: Because we can’t monitor 23 hours into the future Current air monitor readings For transparency and because air quality can change quickly

“Activity forecast” Daily county level forecasts on pscleanair.org

“Activity forecast” Pressing or hovering over icons gives more detail

Forecasts are conservative County level forecasts are protective of the highest air pollution level in the county Some areas may have good air quality within the same county So how can you know what to do if you think you may have better air?

Look at current air quality levels Our network map includes: Colored forecast zones Current monitor readings 3-day site history

Can you monitor at my school? You probably don’t need it We know about air quality through monitoring AND modelling Monitoring provides concentrations at the typically highest pollution areas: Areas with high woodstove use in valleys The heavy industry areas Near-road air monitors Modelling and satellites help us fill in the rest

When is air quality highest? Typically the winter months July 4th… Wildfire smoke events

How to stay safe from outdoor air pollution Check our forecast to know what to do: pscleanair.org If it says “MODERATE”, but you feel impacted, listen to your body If needed, stay indoors (with windows closed if air conditioned) Keep activity level light Consider improving the HVAC system filtration in the building

Other forecasts (confusing, right?) AIRNOW.gov: Forecast originates from our agency (we input it) The “current” monitor values are a 3-hour representation Newspaper, most websites, etc with feeds: Links to AIRNOW, which has a forecast originates from our agency Wunderground: Now has general public air monitors driving their forecast I suggest staying away from their forecasts until we learn more (examples already showing poor performance) WA State Dept of Ecology Current air quality map: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/ Have different colors ranges! (more conservative --- they use the “Washington Air Quality Advisory”)

Questions? Just a few ideas for thought: When do I cancel the football game? When would I send kids home?

Thanks for your attention Erik Saganic eriks@pscleanair.org 206-689-4003