Air Quality Advisory Issued for Jackson County
Jackson County Public Health is issuing an air quality advisory for Jackson County through Sunday evening, July 28, due to wildfires north of Jackson County.
Air quality is expected to improve Saturday evening, with intermittent smoke through the weekend. However, it is important to remember that smoke levels can quickly rise and fall depending on weather factors and the activity of the wildfire. Therefore, people need to be prepared to take steps to protect their health during wildfire season.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants harmful to human health. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Breathing in wildfire smoke can immediately affect a person’s health, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain, and fast heartbeat.
Populations known to be vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures include:
• Children less than 18 years;
• Adults age 65 years or older;
• Pregnant women;
• People with chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, including asthma and diabetes;
• Outdoor workers;
• People of low socioeconomic status
