HONOLULU — The Hawai’i Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch will be monitoring the state’s air quality during New Year’s Eve and comparing it with national ambient air quality standards, a DOH news release states. The heavy use of fireworks
HONOLULU — The Hawai’i Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch will be monitoring the state’s air quality during New Year’s Eve and comparing it with national ambient air quality standards, a DOH news release states.
The heavy use of fireworks during the annual holiday celebration can significantly increase the amount of particulates in the air, especially on O‘ahu.
The Clean Air Branch is encouraging the public, especially people with respiratory conditions, as well as young children and the elderly, to be properly informed and prepared for the upcoming New Year’s firework celebration.
Firework smoke consists primarily of particulate matter that can aggravate conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. People who suffer from one of these lung conditions may want to take certain precautionary measures.
The DOH offers the
following guidelines:
• On New Year’s Eve, stay indoors and close your windows and doors.
• Check that your air conditioner or air purifier is working properly and change filters if necessary.
• Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
• If you take medication, make sure you have an adequate supply and use as directed by your physician.
• Contact your physician if you need more medication and to get clear instructions of what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.
• Avoid people who have colds and other lung infections and wash your hands thoroughly.
• Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus. Warm beverages work best.
• Get plenty of rest and limit physical exertion.
While these suggestions are intended primarily for persons with respiratory or chronic lung disease, they are also useful for healthy persons during air pollution episodes such as particulates dust, firework smoke, or volcanic haze.
For more information regarding air quality, contact the Clean Air Branch at 586-4200.
For more information on respiratory health, contact the American Lung Association of Hawai’i at 537-5966 or visit www.ala-hawaii.org/airquality.asp.
