Environmental Health

Residents of La Grande now can receive daily e-mail updates with the local air quality index during the winter months. The use of wood stoves during the winter months contributes to poor air quality that can have negative impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Attention to the AQI is especially important for people with asthma. Remaining indoors during poor air quality days can help protect you from the negative effects.

The negative effects of poor air quality can include

• coughing
• wheezing
• phlegm
• chest tightness
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• palpitations
• unusual fatigue

I urge everyone to receive these updates and act accordingly to protect their health. I also urge people to invest in weather proofing their homes and using forms of heat that do not pollute the environment. To sign up for these updates visit http://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm.