NOON UPDATE:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has expanded its air quality alert to encompass all of the state because of smoke from wildfires across the US and Canada causing low visibility and increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution.
As of noon today (July 30, 2021), the Pierre-Fort Pierre area is in the “Hazardous” category.
Elderly citizens, young children and individuals with respiratory problems are the most susceptible.
Individuals concerned about potential health impacts should consider avoiding excessive physical exertion, minimize outdoor activities during periods of low visibility caused by wildfire smoke and keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.
Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.
DANR maintains air quality data on its website for locations across the state. Hourly PM2.5 values greater than 35 microgram per cubic meter (ug/m3) are a concern to public health. Individuals may track the PM2.5 concentrations by visiting DANR’s website at https://denravweb.sd.gov/AirVision/default.aspx or AirNow’s website at https://www.airnow.gov.
Air quality rating for Pierre area as of noon CT on July 30, 2021.
Infographic credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Air quality rating for Pierre area as of noon CT on July 30, 2021.
Infographic credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources did something yesterday (July 29, 2021) that it rarely has occasion to do– it issued an air quality alert for areas of eastern South Dakota where smoke from wildfires in Canada has settled.
The alert continues so far early today (July 30) in the Pierre-Fort Pierre area.
The smoke is causing low visibility and increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution to levels that exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
Elderly citizens, young children, and individuals with respiratory problems are the most susceptible. Individuals concerned about potential health impacts should consider avoiding excessive physical exertion, minimize outdoor activities during periods of low visibility caused by wildfire smoke and keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.
Find more information, including links to websites showing the air pollution levels in South Dakota, in this story on the News page at www.drgnews.com.
Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.
DANR maintains air quality data on its website for locations in eastern South Dakota including Aberdeen, Watertown, Brookings, Sioux Falls, Union County and Pierre. Hourly PM2.5 values greater than 35 microgram per cubic meter (ug/m3) are a concern to public health. Individuals may track the PM2.5 concentrations by visiting DANR’s website at https://denravweb.sd.gov/AirVision/default.aspx or AirNow’s website at https://www.airnow.gov.
Hour-by-hour air quality level for Pierre on July 29, 2021.
Infographic credit South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
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