The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an Air Quality Watch for Particle Pollution for Brown, Calumet, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago counties effective 12:01 am on Monday, October 13, 2008 through 11:59 pm on Monday, October 13, 2008 .
The watch is being issued because of the forecast for elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Fine particle pollution is composed of microscopic dust, soot, liquid droplets and smoke particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires.
The Air Quality Index is forecast to reach the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for peop le in sensitive groups. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality watch is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities during the watch period.People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. Fine particle pollution deposits itself deep into the lungs and cannot easily be exhaled. People who are at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high particle pollution exposure.
There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem.
- Reduce driving when possible and don't leave vehicle engines idling.
- Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines.
- Minimize outdoor wood fires.
- Conserve electricity.
- For more ideas on how you can reduce your emissions today and every day visit: Do a little, save a lot!
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YOU ARE INVITED to join fellow conservationists in Green Bay to celebrate the conservation successes of the 2007-08 legislative session, AND to personally thank area legislators that made the Conservation Honor Roll.
