Officials have warned California residents from going outside and exercising, or participating in any type of strenuous activity, as parts of the state deal with high pollution levels.
This warning comes amid ongoing disasters in California, most notably the many wildfires that are rampaging through the state and lowering air quality.
A National Weather Service Alert
The National Weather Service (NWS) has recently put out an air quality alert in parts of California thanks to windblown dust.
This windblown dust has greatly lowered overall air quality in regions of the Golden State, which could hamper Californians’ overall health.
Limiting Exercising
This NWS alert has warned California residents to cease from partaking in certain activities, at least while the alert stays in place.
For example, officials are asking residents to avoid exercising or doing any type of “vigorous physical activity.”
Who Does This Warning Impact?
The NWS has explained that everyone should listen to their warnings — though there are some people who may benefit from this cautioning more than others.
Officials have stated that children and older adults, such as senior citizens, should not exercise or partake in any strenuous activity during this period of poor air quality. People who have respiratory illnesses or heart conditions also should cease working out for now.
Don’t Go Outside
The NWS hasn’t just asked Californians to stop exercising. They’ve also asked populations in certain regions to refrain from spending a prolonged period of time outside.
Instead, they’re asking people to try to stay indoors as much as possible, as this poor air quality could greatly harm their health.
Exposure to Pollution
Officials have warned that many health conditions can arise if people continue to stay outdoors for long periods of time when this alert is in place.
“Exposure to high particle pollution levels can cause serious health problems, including asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of respiratory infections,” the NWS said.
Learning How to Adjust to This Warning
The NWS has also told people with health conditions to talk with their doctor to better learn what they should do during these periods of high pollution levels.
The NWS warned, “People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctor’s advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality. Children, older adults, and people with respiratory or heart disease should avoid prolonged exposure and strenuous activities when particle pollution levels are high.”
Avoiding Travel
Officials have further asked the public in these California regions to help. During this time of high pollution levels, they’re asking the public to stop adding even more pollution in the area.
As a result, they’ve asked the public to reduce traveling in cars. Instead, they should either carpool or use public transportation, if they can.
Adding More Dust to the Air
The NWS has also asked Californians to try to not add even more dust to the air, as the reason the pollution levels are so high is because of windblown dust.
To do so, they’re asking the public to not travel on dirt roads if they can. If they have to, they’re asking drivers to slow down and not drive on these dirt roads quickly, which can then bring up even more dust into the air.
California Regions Affected
So far, this latest air quality alert only affects Californians who live in the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass, which lie east of Los Angeles.
Cathedral City, Coachella, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Palm Desert Country are the cities impacted by this alert.
West Coast Wildfires Create Other Air Quality Alerts
California isn’t alone in having a new air quality alert this week. Other West Coast states in the country have also received similar alerts, though these warnings stem from air that is polluted from wildfires.
Parts of Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have similar alerts asking their public to stay indoors because pollution levels have become quite high.
Smoke Levels May Rise
In Montana, some counties have already reached smoke levels that have made it dangerous for people in “sensitive groups.”
As California is currently battling many large fires, some counties may see new alerts — similar to the ones in Montana — warning their public from staying outdoors for long periods of time.
