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Today and tomorrow the Hampton Roads area is under an air quality
alert due to smoke generated by the Dismal Swamp fire. The fire has
burned about 5600 acres in the swamp near the North Carolina border.<br>
<br>
Dr. Chandler, Jefferson Lab's Occupational Medicine director, has
emphasized that the smoke in our area has created the potential for
adverse health effects. This risk is potentially significant in
individuals who have medical conditions affecting the lungs or
heart. The most common of these diseases are asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis),
coronary artery disease, and angina.<br>
<br>
Employees who have lung or heart problems and/or sensitivity to
smoke should minimize time outdoors and seek medical attention if
they develop symptoms. Supervisors should avoid/reschedule outdoor
activities that involve strenuous work. Voluntary exercise and
outdoor chores at home should be curtailed.<br>
<br>
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality offers the
following general guidelines for citizens to use in assessing local
air quality conditions whenever there is wildfire smoke present:<br>
<br>
• If you can smell smoke with no visibility impairment, air
quality levels are probably in the Code Orange range, or Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups. At Code Orange levels, people with heart or
lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolonged or
strenuous outdoor activities. People who are active outdoors also
should take it easier to limit their exposure to particle pollution.<br>
<br>
• If you can smell smoke with minor visibility impairment, air
quality levels are probably in the Code Red range, or generally
Unhealthy. At Code Red levels, people with heart or lung disease,
older adults and children should avoid prolonged or strenuous
outdoor activities; everyone else should reduce prolonged or
strenuous outdoor activities.<br>
<br>
For additional information regarding air quality conditions, visit
the DEQ website at: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/">http://www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/</a><br>
<i><br>
This message is being sent on behalf of JLab's ESH&Q Division.</i><br>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Regards,<br>
Deb Magaldi<br>
Jefferson Lab<br>
Public Affairs<br>
12000 Jefferson Ave., Suite 15<br>
Newport News, VA 23606<br>
ph. 757-269-5102</span><br>
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