Officials: Bad air, fog create 'perfect storm of problems' in Valley
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Friday is a red air day, meaning it's unhealthy outdoors. Everyone is advised to stay indoors, and people are really feeling the effects of what the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District says is a "perfect storm of problems."
"Nasty" is what most are saying about the air we're breathing. Some took to Twitter, comparing the levels in Hanford to that of Beijing. The Valley Air District says the readings are the same all over the Valley.
"We're seeing level 4s, level 5s, these are the unhealthy levels or the unhealthy for sensitive group levels and what it means is that folks are feeling it," said Jaime Holt with the Valley Air District.
Those folks are checking in with Dr. A.M. Aminian of the Allergy Institute, who says this time of year is already rough on respiratory systems as the change in temperatures bring allergies. Add the fog to that, which traps in the bad air, and it's a bad combination.
"As soon as you go out you get eye irritation, you get itching, burning sensation, and it's just plain uncomfortable, and then you start a cough which comes out of nowhere," said Dr. Aminian.
Dr. Aminian says to make matters worse, all that particulate matter settles on your skin.
"Do nasal rinses, take a shower, change your clothing as soon as you get home, limit your outdoor activities, make sure you take your medications," he said.
The Valley Air District hopes you won't idle your car. They suggest carpooling and putting off errands.
"It's a no burning for all right now," said Holt. "If you have a registered device, we're thrilled, we'll get back to a time when you can use it, but pollution is so bad right now that we're saying you can't."
As for ways in which we all can help, Doug Bremseth of Clovis wants the Valley to consider a collective option.
"It seems like there could be a much more robust public transportation system," he said.
The Valley Air District says you can also help by getting your car tuned up so you don't add more bad emissions to our already bad air quality.
The bad air quality also kept students off the playground. All outdoor activities were canceled for more than 70,000 students in the Fresno Unified School District because of the extreme pollution.
