A new normal: Clark County air quality advisory in effect from April 1 to Sept. 30
This spring and summer, don’t look for any more of those everyso-often air quality advisories being issued by the Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability. ¶ With wildfires becoming more prevalent amid drought conditions throughout the American Southwest, this year the department is putting out a blanket warning for the entire hot-weather season — from April 1 to Sept. 30.
“We decided going into this year that we should probably get out in front of this and issue a seasonal wildfire smoke advisory that goes along with the ozone advisory, because wildfire smoke has become a new normal for us in Southern Nevada,” said Kevin Macdonald, a spokesman for the department.
“It’s unfortunate, because the majority of it is coming from other places — whether that’s Northern Nevada, Northern California, Southern California or even Arizona,” Macdonald said. “But it’s drifting hundreds of miles, and it’s affecting our air quality now.”
In recent years, the county has flagged more than a dozen days for wildfire smoke advisories.
There were 14 days in 2018, 27 in 2020 and 18 a year ago. In 2019, when there was little wildfire activity, no smoke advisories were issued.
Poor air quality can lead to health problems, from difficulty breathing to heart attacks. It can exacerbate conditions like asthma, emphysema or other respiratory illnesses, landing some people in the hospital, said Colleen Reid, a professor of climate change and human health at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
There are also potential long-term health issues associated with seasonal wildfire smoke, but the issue has not been adequately studied, Reid said.
“We know that for other sources of air pollution, there are long-term health impacts, and we should assume that wildfire smoke should have a similar impact,” Reid said.
Wildfire smoke can also increase ground-level ozone formation as it combines with other forms of air pollution, Macdonald said.
Last year, the county reported 28 days in which ozone levels exceeded the national standard, Macdonald said.
Ozone is vital for blocking the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, but the formation of ozone at the ground level is toxic
“It’s unfortunate, because the majority of it is coming from other places — whether that’s Northern Nevada, Northern California, Southern California or even Arizona. But it’s drifting hundreds of miles, and it’s affecting our air quality now.”
Kevin Macdonald, a spokesman for Clark County Department of Environment and Sustainability
impact,” Reid said.
Wildfire smoke can also increase ground-level ozone formation as it combines with other forms of air pollution, Macdonald said.
Last year, the county reported 28 days in which ozone levels exceeded the national standard, Macdonald said.
Ozone is vital for blocking the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, but the formation of ozone at the ground level is toxic and presents its own health risks, Macdonald said.
Ozone forms when volatile organic compounds, such as paint, gasoline or other substances that emit fumes, combine with oxides of nitrogen, such as emissions from car engines or factories, and cooks under high heat and intense sun.
“When you have 1.6 million registered vehicles in Clark County, you’re going to have ozone formation,” Mcdonald said. “If you remove one of those three components, you can remove ozone.”
Drivers can help reduce ground-level ozone by cutting down on unnecessary trips and idling, Macdonald said. Carpooling or using public transit can have an impact.
Other tips include keeping vehicles properly maintained and avoiding gasoline spills when topping off at the pump.
When smoke and ozone levels are high, staying indoors and limiting outdoor exercise limits exposure. Running the air conditioner and regularly changing the filters can also help, Macdonald said.
Reid said investing in a HEPA air purifier or wearing an N95 mask can provide protection from air pollutants and irritants.
“People can wear N95 masks that actually protect you from the air around you, whether it’s viruses or particles,” Reid said. “Viruses are about the same size as these particles, so it can clear them both out of the air.”
As far as the long-term outlook for air quality in Southern Nevada, Macdonald predicts that the seasonal advisories are here to stay.
The correlation between more wildfires, which scientists overwhelmingly agree have been worsening because of climate change, and poor air quality is just too strong, he said.
“The unfortunate reality is that between drought, climate change and extreme heat, this has become our new normal,” Macdonald said.