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Posted: 05/21/19
Air Quality Review During Trafalgar Rd. Fire Remediation
Little Rock, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has issued the first review of air monitoring data for the Bella Vista community during the Trafalgar Rd. fire remediation. Overall, air emissions in the community continue to be below levels likely to cause health effects for the general population. Air data reviews can be found on ADH’s website at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
ADH is continuing to review data collected by the 61st Civil Support Team with the Arkansas National Guard and CTEH, a contractor for the Bella Vista Property Owner’s Association. Updates from ADH on air quality will be provided to the community as needed during the remediation process on ADH’s website. Benton County’s alert system will be used if there are immediate health or safety threats to the community. Community members can sign up for Benton County’s alert system at www.bcalert.com.
Precautions community members can take during smoky conditions include:
Reducing outdoor activity by staying indoors.
Keeping windows and doors closed.
Running their home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Air quality is expected to vary during the remediation process. Sensitive populations will be most affected by changing conditions, and may experience symptoms even if other community members do not. Sensitive populations include: children; older adults; pregnant women; or people with asthma, heart or lung disease, or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Anyone experiencing symptoms should see their doctor or health care provider.
Keeping windows and doors closed and HVAC systems running can help keep smoke out of your home. Residents can also improve indoor air quality by avoiding: burning candles, using fireplaces, cigarette smoking, and by making sure all space heaters or kerosene heaters are properly vented. Another step that residents can take is to ensure HVAC systems are in good working condition and filters are clean and fit properly.
For more information about the Trafalgar Rd. fire, potential health issues, and air quality, please visit https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/bella-vista-air-monitoring and https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/bella-vista/.
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