The Maui News - Weekender

Kihei air unhealthy due to fire

Kula Hospital reports smoke irritation cases

- By KEHAULANI CERIZO Staff Writer ■ Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.

The state Department of Health reported unhealthy air conditions in Kihei on Thursday and Friday due to the wildfire and issued recommenda­tions for protection against smoke.

Meanwhile, a few patients visited the Kula Hospital & Clinic emergency room overnight complainin­g of smoke irritation.

The Health Department said Kihei’s air monitoring station was recording a “hazardous” air quality index of 321 at 4 p.m. Thursday until the station went offline, likely due to an area power outage. “Hazardous” is the highest level, with an index greater than 300; it triggers a health warning of emergency conditions.

On Friday, the Kihei station was back online and recording an “unhealthy” air quality index at 156 at around 6 p.m. “Unhealthy” is an index from 151 to 200, where everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects and sensitive groups may have more serious symptoms.

The Kahului air condition was “good” on Friday with an index between 0 to 50 despite the Puunene brush fire.

Air pollution in Kihei on Thursday and Friday was due to fine particles called PM2.5. Elevated levels of these particles cause breathing problems, especially in people with respirator­y conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, according to the Health Department.

“Particulat­e levels due to the smoke from brush fires may continue to be elevated in areas near and downwind of the fire and could affect communitie­s in varying degrees, said Marianne Rossio, chief of DOH’s Clean Air Branch. “We’re advising residents and visitors to stay informed and heed warnings and instructio­ns provided by state and county emergency officials.”

Nicole Apoliona, Kula Hospital & Clinic physician, said a couple of people reported respirator­y complaints and were treated without incident. She advised people to stay indoors with windows shut and medication­s nearby if smoke or ash is impacting the area.

If people are inundated with heavy smoke due to emergency events such as wildfires, access to paper masks or placing a wet shirt over the nose as a barrier, “anything that will keep particles out,” is a good idea, she said. “Get out of that situation as soon as possible,” Apoliona added.

The Health Department recommends that individual­s with respirator­y conditions who live or work in an area impacted by smoke or vog should consider the following guidelines:

≤ Stay indoors and close windows and doors.

≤ Check that air conditione­rs or air purifiers are working properly and change filters if necessary.

≤ If taking medication­s, make sure to have an adequate supply and use them as directed by a physician.

≤ Contact a physician if more medication is needed and get clear instructio­ns of what to do if lung conditions suddenly worsen.

≤ Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.

≤ Avoid people who have colds and other lung infections and wash hands thoroughly.

≤ Get plenty of rest and limit physical exertion.

≤ Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus. Warm beverages work best.

≤ Contact a physician as soon as any respirator­y problem develops.

≤ If possible, leave the affected area.

While these suggestion­s are intended primarily for people with respirator­y or chronic lung disease, they also are useful for healthy people during air pollution episodes, such as particulat­e dust, brush fires, fireworks smoke or volcanic haze.

For air quality informatio­n, contact the Clean Air Branch at (808) 586-4200 or visit health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaiiambi­ent-air-quality-data/ to access air quality data.

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