Air quality in Yreka

What is the level of air pollution in Yreka?

Yreka is currently experiencing higher levels of air pollution, as of late August of 2021. As with many other cities and towns in California, Yreka was also subject to high levels of air pollution in late 2020 due to the forest and wildfires that ravaged many parts of the state.

In 2021, at the end of August, a US AQI reading of 178 was taken, placing Yreka into the 'unhealthy' rating bracket for the given day and time. The PM2.5 count was also found to be at a concentration of 107.1 μg/m³ at the same time, making it significantly higher than the exposure guidelines set out by the WHO.

Other readings of US AQI, which itself is a number aggregated from the various main pollutants found in the air (thus making it a composite number based on how many hazardous pollutants are currently in the atmosphere) were figures such as 177, 192 and 196. These are all significant readings, and as their rating name suggests, are unhealthy for all members of the population. Preventative measures, as well as those who may be more at risk to health damage from exposure, will be discussed in further detail later in the article. These high readings are once again caused by the advent of forest fires taking place, as it would be extremely hard for such a high level of air pollution to be caused by anthropogenic or industrial activity, despite these also being contributing factors.

Why is Yreka experiencing polluted air?

Apart from the previously mentioned forest fires contributing heavily to the extremely elevated levels of pollution, there are many other sources of air pollution present in Yreka that can assist in bringing up the ambient pollution levels. When any amount of anthropogenic or industrial activity takes place, many related sources of pollution come with them, due to processes such as the combustion of fuels occurring in the many factories throughout the state and around Yreka, as well as car engines, power plant boilers and other similar industrial processes that rely on combustion all contributing to the overall pollution level, giving off their unique types of chemical pollutants and fine particles into the atmosphere.

As touched upon, vehicles are a relatively large contributing factor to consistently rising air pollution levels in Yreka and throughout much of the state of California. A multitude of these vehicles are in use, which includes among them ones such as cars, motorbikes and heavier freight vehicles, often used for the transportation of industrial materials, goods and other items or produce. These are vehicles such as trucks and lorries.

A large number of vehicles in particular areas throughout the state of California utilize diesel as their primary source of fuel, and as such can give out significantly more pollutants, typically those that come from the combustion of fossil fuels. Vehicles also release many tons of ultrafine rubber particles, due to the residual degrading of tire treads over a long period causing this to happen. These microscopic rubber particles enter into the air and can cause a plethora of health problems when inhaled. Furthermore, they can settle on the soil, bodies of water and other areas where they can cause ecological and environmental damage, entering into the food chain which can bring with it many problems for future generations.

As was also mentioned earlier, smoke from fires is the largest contributor to severe elevations in air pollution levels. The PM2.5 readings that were on record throughout 2020, as well as the US AQI readings currently occurring in mid to late 2021, are indicative that they can cause hazardous bouts of air pollution to take place, carrying with them far more health risks, environmental damage and spikes in pollution readings than any other source of air pollution present in both Yreka and the rest of the United States, due to the large clouds of smoke and particle pollution that they can release.

The geography in the state of California can also assist in keeping the pollution levels high. With the presence of several different forest fires currently taking place, along with ones from years past, (referring in particular to the 2020 forest fires ravaging much of the state in mid to late 2020), California is subject to higher than normal pollution levels, reaching hazardous PM2.5 and US AQI readings, particularly when all of the correct meteorological and industrial conditions are in place.

What role does particle pollution or PM2.5 play in the air in Yreka?

PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, making it approximately thirty times smaller than that of a human hair, in diameter. Due to this minute size, as well as being able to go down to sizes many microns smaller, it can penetrate deep into the tissue of the lungs upon breathing, causing many health issues to occur. Furthermore, it can also cross over into the bloodstream because to its size, giving it the title of one of the most dangerous pollutants that can be found in the air worldwide. The small air sacs or alveoli that are used in the transportation of oxygen into the bloodstream allow these tiny particles to pass the blood barrier, allowing them to travel to far reaches of the body and cause a wide range of conditions to multiple organs or organ systems, due to disruption and damage caused.

PM2.5 can be made up of materials such as nitrates and sulfates, dust and soot, various metals, along with other ultrafine materials such as silica and gravel dust. Water and other liquid vapors can also fall under the PM2.5 bracket, along with mold spores and fungi, bacteria, and other dangerous inorganic materials or microorganisms. These all make up the PM2.5 classification, with any material under the 2.5-micrometer size being classed as such, with the more harmful ones being of greater importance in reducing their level in the air.

What health problems can be caused by breathing polluted air in Yreka?

Besides the higher pollution readings on record from the last few years in Yreka, there are still other periods of the year where the air quality sees improvements. Pollution has a significant chance to affect all members of the population, and there are many groups of people that are far more vulnerable to illnesses.

These sensitive or at-risk groups include people who are far more likely to succumb to the many illnesses brought about from excessive inhalation of chemical compounds in the air, as well as the ultrafine particles and other air contaminants adding to their health problems.

These groups of people are ones such as young children and babies, as well as the elderly. The elderly can be especially at-risk when it comes to health issues from breathing pollutants. Respiratory infections or mild coughs or colds have the chance to develop into more life-threatening illnesses, with this possibility rising alongside the pollution levels.

As such, bouts of extreme pollution caused by fires are such a risk to this demographic. Others that are considered to be vulnerable groups are those who have a poorer level of health, exacerbated by lifestyles such as being sedentary or smoking. Others may include those that have pre-existing health conditions or weakened immune systems. Certain individuals can also exhibit hypersensitive reactions when exposed to the many different air contaminants or fine particulate matter in the atmosphere takes place, causing skin rashes and possibly respiratory distress.

Besides at-risk individuals being the ones that need to take extra care during bouts of heightened pollution levels, it is of importance to note that no groups are safe from pollution exposure, and this includes any levels of pollution. Even small levels of certain pollutants in the air have a chance to cause adverse effects and trigger off certain pre-existing conditions. Regarding health issues and illnesses, the first ones that appear will generally be dry coughs, chest pains and related infections, as well as irritation to the respiratory tract. These will usually cease, or significantly decrease in their severity when pollution exposure is halted or stopped outright. Regarding fine particles once again, when they enter into the bloodstream, they can cause many serious conditions due to their size and the materials they are made out of.

A vast number of these PM2.5 materials (such as the variety mentioned above in the PM2.5 related topic) are directly linked to rising cancer rates, due to many of them having highly carcinogenic properties (with ones such as soot or even silica dust being known carcinogens).

This is released in large amounts from fires, along with factories and industrial processes. Car engines can also put these out from the combustion process that takes place within their engines, releasing them into the atmosphere via their exhaust pipes. Because of the larger amount of its release from wildfires, black carbon presents a significant hazard to the health of those living in Yreka during periods when wildfires are taking place.

In regards to skin conditions that can be caused or triggered by pollution exposure, they are typically ones such psoriasis, mild to severe acne, atopic dermatitis, as well as other rashes such as eczema also presenting themselves during times of higher pollution levels, largely in part due to the ultrafine particles blocking or clogging the pores of the skin, as well as irritation to the skin being caused by certain chemical compounds. Skin cancer may also arise as a result, although this is far less prevalent and may take a combination of factors (such as individual predisposition, excess exposure to sun along with length and severity of pollution exposure, along with what pollutants are coming into contact with an individual’s skin.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is common amongst people affected by high levels of pollution, particularly if it takes place over a longer period, being common amongst those who smoke or have a career whereby they are exposed to large amounts of fine particles or other harmful. COPD is an umbrella term that usually refers to several different respiratory conditions.

Among them are ones such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, as well as emphysema and any condition or ailment that hampers the lung’s ability to take in a full breath of air. In longer-term or more chronic situations, individuals who are exposed to pollution over many months or years may start to see conditions such as ischemic heart disease present themselves, especially so amongst the more vulnerable members of the population. This can also be increased by those who live nearby areas of high traffic or have to commute through heavy traffic and hence breathe in larger amounts of pollution. Certain areas that having housing communities near to industrial sites may also put residents or those nearby at further risk.

Ischemic heart disease occurs place when the tissue of the heart does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen. Rates of heart attacks can also go up alongside the previously mentioned cardiovascular issue, along with the chance of strokes, arrhythmias, nausea and headaches. In the more extreme cases, death may even occur, and many instances of premature death can be directly linked to higher levels of pollution exposure, with such a phenomenon occurring throughout the world.

Because of this, during times of higher pollution and air contamination, preventative measures should be put into place so that individuals may avoid any possible damage to their health. These precautions include avoiding outdoor activities and exercise, in particular outdoor ones such as jogging, which raises the heart rate, increasing respiration rate, which in turn increases the number of pollutants inhaled into the lungs and spreading them to the rest of the body.

Wearing fine particle filtering masks is also highly recommended, especially when outdoor activity can’t be avoided. Doors and windows should be closed and sealed to halt indoor air pollution levels from rising to any significant degree.

Air purifiers can also be run, if available, as they are highly effective in reducing the levels of indoor air pollution, preventing excessive build-up which can decrease any adverse health effects that arise as a result of excessive pollution exposure.

When does Yreka have the worst levels of pollution in the year?

Yreka presented with its highest levels of air pollution in the months of August, September and October of 2020. These readings came in at 12.3 μg/m³, 60 μg/m³ and 13.9 μg/m³ respectively, placing September in the most polluted spot of the year and sporting a 'unhealthy' rating. This was a common theme for many cities throughout the state of California and the Bay area due to the forest and wildfires that made their way through vast swathes of land. With the current fires once again taking place during similar times of the year, it can be seen that the latter part of the year is the time in which Yreka may have a higher chance of air pollution spikes being present.

When does Yreka see improvements in its air quality?

Observing the PM2.5 levels taken throughout 2020 as a reference point once again, it can be seen that Yreka had the cleanest months of the year running from January through to July, although of note is that the earlier months of the year showed mild signs of elevation. Despite this, all of the aforementioned months (along with November) fell into the World Health Organization's (WHO's) target for the best level of air quality at 10 μg/m³ or less.

Out of all these months, April, May and June had the most optimal readings, coming in with very respectable figures of 2.7 μg/m³, 2.3 μg/m³ and 2 μg/m³. This would make the air quality at such times of the year extremely clean, free from many clouds of smoke, haze and hazardous particulate matter. Whilst this may vary from year to year, it is likely that the earlier months of the year will see more optimal levels of air quality, also largely due to most likely being free from forest fires, although there is always the chance for fires to take place at any time of the year.