[July 01, 2011] Deming air quality remains sub-standard Tweet Jun 30, 2011 (The Deming Headlight - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Deming again has an air quality rating of "moderate" as wildfires in Eastern Arizona continue to send plumes of smoke across the New Mexico Bootheel. The New Mexico Environment Department's air monitoring station at the Deming Airport reported a "moderate" rating for air quality Tuesday. Over the past three weeks, the air quality has hovered between "good" and moderate, with highs on the Air Quality Index reaching close to 100 on the scale. For comparison, a 101 AQI rating is categorized as "unhealthy for sensitive groups." Parts of Luna County saw an "unhealthy" rating in mid-June as wildfires jumped the state border with New Mexico. The conditions, according to the New Mexico Department of Health, can present a danger to those with breathing problems or heart disease among other ailments when the AQI reaches "unhealthy for sensitive groups." People with respiratory problems are most at risk under a moderate warning, but the federal government has no health effects statements nor cautionary statements listed on its www.airnow.gov website, which provides air quality conditions and recent data for counties across the country. "The wildfires burning in New Mexico can have a severe impact on air quality in several areas of the state, so I am urging everyone to take precautions," Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Catherine Torres, said. "Poor air quality conditions associated with smoke are especially important for people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. If symptoms associated with these conditions do not respond to the usual recommended medications, see a health care provider immediately." Most of the state, as of Wednesday, had AQI ratings of good, but Albuquerque, Do a Ana County and the northwestern corner of the state all had moderate warnings. Los Alamos is also rated moderate as local fires threaten scientific research facilities in the area. In areas without air quality monitoring equipment, or for a quicker assessment of your area's air quality, you can use visibility: if visibility is 10 miles and up, the air quality is good; six to nine miles, air quality is moderate; three to five miles, air quality is unhealthy for sensitive people; one and a half to two and a half miles, air quality is unhealthy; one to one and a quarter miles, air quality is very unhealthy; and three quarters of a mile or less, air quality is hazardous. The NMDOH is also reminding folks that many air-conditioning units do not adequately filter out smoke particulates. According to the state, the public should avoid using swamp coolers when the smoke levels are higher than normal. Most swamp cooler filters have filter pore sizes that are much too large to filter out smoke particulates. High-efficiency particulate air filters on air conditioners are recommended to reduce breathing problems. A HEPA filter may reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces, or gas stoves. Do not vacuum because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home, the state added. For more information or to ask a question about health-related issues due to smoke, call the New Mexico Nurse Advice Line at 1-877-725-2552. Matt Robinson can be reached at [email protected] To see more of The Deming Headlight, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.demingheadlight.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Deming Headlight, N.M. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]