Bracing for the heat and possibly air quality impacts

TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) -- As the Central Valley braces for the triple-digit heat and spike in weekend temperatures, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District says the heat could act as a lid and trap pollution, leading to poor air quality.

"We are already seeing signs of unhealthy for sensitive groups early in the day, but by 3 pm, you can expect that many areas might move into that unhealthy for sensitive groups or higher, simply because we are baking in the hot sun and we are seeing ozone climb," explains Heather Heinks with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control district.

She says there are things people can do to reduce air pollution, including carpooling to school drop-off.

Plus, avoiding the peak heat hours.

"If you have to be outside, reduce your vigorous activity. No exercise or jogging where you are breathing in, sucking in air and potentially breathing in that ozone pollution," mentions Heather.

Doctors are also urging people to check in on their elderly loved ones, neighbors, children and people with asthma, especially when air quality is poor.

"That, in combination with the heat, can lead to a lot of respiratory issues, cardiac issues. It can even lead to an increase in cardiac mortality, including death and heart-related illnesses for people," explains Dr. Cesar Casas, from Adventist Health.

Prevention, like staying hydrated and cool, is key. Plus, knowing when to seek medical help is also important.

"Once you see that sweat stops and get confused, lightheaded or speeches might be a little slurred, that is definitely a sign to go to the emergency department because that is definitely a sign of heat stroke," mentions Dr. Casas.

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