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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Thousands of residents across a part of Nebraska have been advised by the National Weather Service (NWS) that they may experience adverse health symptoms such as “coughing or shortness of breath” until mid-morning on Thursday, due to elevated levels of fine particle pollution—known as PM2.5—in the atmosphere, caused by smoke.
Areas Affected by Smoke
According to the NWS Air Quality Alert, high levels of PM2.5 are expected to blanket parts of eastern Nebraska, includingThurston, Cuming, Burt, Colfax, Dodge, Washington, Butler, Saunders, Douglas, Sarpy, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Saline, Jefferson, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha and Pawnee.
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The cities of Pender, Macy, Walthill, Winnebago, West Point, Wisner, Tekamah, Oakland, Lyons, Decatur, Schuyler, Fremont, Blair, David City, Wahoo, Ashland, Yutan, Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Seward, Milford, Lincoln, Plattsmouth, Nebraska City, Crete, Wilber, Fairbury, Beatrice, Tecumseh, Sterling, Auburn, Pawnee City, Table Rock, and Falls City also fall under the alert until Thursday morning.
Why Is the Air Quality Poor?
The NWS Air Quality Alert says that the elevated level of PM2.5 is due to a combination of heavy smoke generated from “prescribed” fires and the direction of the wind.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers PM2.5, caused by smoke from fires (and other sources such as dust and emissions), to be one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution. This is because the particles are so small—less than 2.5 micrometers in size, which is smaller than the width of a single strand of hair—they can be easily inhaled, penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering symptoms or worsening existing medical conditions, such as asthma.
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What Should Residents Do?
The NWS has established that the levels of PM2.5 have reached a level classified as “unhealthy” for those in sensitive groups which include the elderly, children and teenagers, those with existing heart and lung medical conditions, and pregnant women.
The poor air quality could pose a health risk, so the NWS has urged people who are senstive to air pollution to take steps to reduce their exposure by reducing or limiting the intensity and duration of outdoor activities until conditions improve—especially if they start experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and eye, nose, or throat irritation.
The EPA, which also monitors the air quality across America, advises that when PM2.5 reaches “unhealthy” levels, residents should also try to keep the air in their homes as clean as possible by keeping doors and windows closed and using air purifiers or filters to circulate clean air. Homeowners should also avoid burning candles, incense, or using indoor fires and woodstoves, as these activities can increase indoor PM2.5 levels.
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