Air quality in Tuolumne County

What is the current level of air pollution in Tuolumne?

Tuolumne City is a census-designated place (CDP) officially known as Tuolumne. According to a 2020 census, the population is slowly decreasing. It was 1,779 in 2010 and 1,865 in 2000.

Towards the end of 2021, Tuolumne was experiencing a period of air quality that can be classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a US AQI reading of 128. This United States Air Quality Index number is calculated using the levels of six of the most commonly occurring air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide and both sizes of particulate matter, which are PM2.5 and PM10. It can then be used as the metric when comparing air quality in other cities around the world. If data is unavailable for all 6 pollutants, a figure can still be calculated by using what figures there are. The only recording made for Tuolumne was that of PM2.5 which was 46.7 µg/m³.

This level is over four and a half times the recommended safe level of 10 µg/m³ as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an acceptable level. Although no amount of air pollution is thought of as being safe.

When air pollution is at this elevated level, the given advice would be to remain indoors as much as possible and close all doors and windows to prevent the ingress of more polluted air. It is advisable to operate an air purifier if one is available but ensure it is set to recirculate the air and not bring more in from outside.

Those who are more susceptible to poor quality air should try to avoid venturing outside until the quality improves. If this is unavoidable then a good quality mask should be worn at all times. All groups of people are discouraged from partaking in strenuous exercise, outside. There is a mobile app available from AirVisual.com for most operating systems. This free app informs you of the state of the air in real-time and thus will help you decide what to do or where to go.

Does the level of pollution stay the same throughout the year in Tuolumne?

Looking back at the figures from 2020 released by IQAir.com, it can easily be seen that the best air quality was enjoyed during May, June and July when the figures recorded were below the World Health Organisations’ (WHO) target figure of 10 µg/m³ or less. June offered the cleanest air with a very low figure of just 4.1 µg/m³. From January to April, the air quality was “Moderate” with readings between 12.0 and 35.4 µg/m³. Towards the end of the year, “Moderate” air quality was experienced in August, October, November and December. The month of September provided the worst air quality with a figure of 69.3 µg/m³ which firmly places it in the “Unhealthy” category. Figures are between 55.5 and 150.4 to be classified as such.

Figures pertaining to air pollution were first recorded in 2019 when a reading of 12.5 µg/m³ was noted. This was classed as “Moderate”. In 2020 the recorded figure was considerably worse when the level was recorded as being 25.5 µg/m³. This reading may have been affected by the COVID-19 situation as many vehicles were no longer in daily use because the offices were closed, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Many factories and non-essential production units were also required to close which removed their emissions from the atmosphere. Many cities throughout the world reported that the air quality had improved because of the restrictions introduced due to COVID-19.

Is there a main source of air pollution in Tuolumne?

During August 2021, the main source of air pollution was due to the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County and other large wildfires burning in Northern California. Due to northerly winds, the county is experiencing air quality that is “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or “unhealthy” depending on where you live.

The advice given was for the young and elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions, it is imperative that measures be taken to minimise the exposure to wildfire smoke.

What can be done to reduce air pollution in Tuolumne?

AIRNOW, is a US air quality tracking service created by the Environmental Protection Agency. It advises that with air quality like this: “Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.’’ People are being advised to now stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed to prevent the polluted air from entering.

Because of the local topography, smoke may become trapped in the valleys and basins which surround the area.

What are the health impacts of breathing dirty air in Tuolumne?

Air pollution consists of harmful or poisonous substances in outdoor or indoor air. It is harmful to people even if they do not have lung disease, but it is particularly dangerous for people living with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory ailments.

Wildfire smoke contains very small particulate matter which is more commonly known as PM2.5 that are breathed deep into the lungs. The PM2.5 component of air pollution (e.g., from smoke) is linked to a number of health problems, including coughing, wheezing, reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes. It can have long-term health impacts. Additionally, wildfire smoke may contain unknown chemicals and particles from manmade materials that have burned (homes, cars, etc.).

Children are at risk for adverse health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke and ash, because their lungs are not fully developed. Children who breathe in wildfire smoke and ash can have chest pains and feel a tightness in their chest; trouble breathing; wheezing; coughing; nose, throat, and eye burning; dizziness; or other symptoms. Children with asthma, allergies, or pre-existing health issues may have more trouble breathing when smoke or ash is present.

Some areas are also affected by extreme heat and people who are not acclimated to the higher temperature, or are dehydrated, may experience additional stress on their heart and lungs.

Air pollution is a danger to lung health, particularly for:

• Babies and children, whose normal breathing is faster than older children and adults;
• The elderly, who may have higher respiratory rates;
• People who work or spend time outdoors; and
• People with heart or lung disease.