The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District warned Wednesday of possible poor air quality in its jurisdiction over the coming week due to extreme heat and fireworks use.
Air quality will be impacted across the entire Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District from Wednesday through July 9, the Victorville agency said.
The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District’s air quality monitoring staff operates and maintains six monitoring stations located in Barstow, Hesperia, Phelan, Trona, Twentynine Palms, and Victorville.
Ozone at ground level
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for all of California, including communities in the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.
Extremely high daytime temperatures increase ground-level ozone concentrations and could potentially deteriorate outdoor or breathable air quality to the “Red – Unhealthy” category, the agency said.
At this level, anyone can experience health effects. People with respiratory conditions, children, seniors, and active adults are more likely to experience health effects.
The advisory may be extended based on National Weather Service forecasts and air quality predictions.
Agency officials explained that ground-level ozone is difficult to detect with the human eye and nose, so air quality officials recommend that residents check the air quality index before going outside.
Go to MDAQMD.ca.gov, AirNow.gov or use the weather app on your smartphone.
PM2.5 from fireworks
In addition to the effects of ozone, air quality officials have in previous years regularly measured increases in PM2.5 levels late into the night of July 4 and 5, likely a direct result of the many commercial fireworks displays and an extraordinary amount of illegal backyard fireworks.
Fireworks are known to release high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 as well as metal pollutants into the air, all of which can contribute to negative health effects.
According to the agency, inhaling large amounts of fine dust can lead to a range of cardiovascular and respiratory health problems, such as heart attacks, worsening of asthma, reduced lung function, coughing and breathing problems.
Fireworks, especially “personal” ones that are illegal, pose a serious threat to starting wildfires. As with any wildfire, this potential threat is not only a danger to life and property, but can also create unhealthy and potentially hazardous air quality conditions.
Tips to stay safe
Elevated levels of particulate matter and ground-level ozone can affect everyone, but are especially unhealthy for people with cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, children, the elderly, and active adults.
Here are some recommendations for people in areas where air quality is poor, for example due to smoke, residual pollution from fireworks and ozone:
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Everyone should consider avoiding strenuous exercise indoors or outdoors
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People with respiratory or heart conditions, the elderly and children should consider staying indoors
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Keep windows and doors closed
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Run your air conditioner. Use the recirculation function
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To avoid bringing in outside pollutants, do not use a swamp cooler or whole-house fan.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Smoke-Ready Toolbox offers helpful tips to protect your health and the health of those around you: epa.gov/pm-pollution/fires-and-your-health.
The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District encourages residents to monitor local air quality levels by visiting AirNow.gov. Sign up for text and email air quality forecasts at enviroflash.info.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Air quality in Mojave Desert possibly affected by heat, fireworks
