Mask & Eyewear During hazardous AQI

As the smoke continues to pose a threat, please remember the below tips to make sure you keep your eyes and lungs safe from hazardous air quality. Eye Protection: - When possible, avoid prolonged exposures outside. When you can't avoid it, safety glasses are recommended to block particles in the air. - Minimize contact wear to avoid the potential for particles to become trapped between the lens and your eye. - Use artificial tears periodically to reduce any irritation, which will help you avoid itching and further irritating your eyes. If you need artificial tears, utilize the S.I.C.K. program at the pharmacy on base. - Cold compresses with a clean damp cloth can also help alleviate irritation. - Schedule an appointment with optometry if symptoms do not subside or become more severe. Mask Safety: Per CDC recommendation, remember to avoid using a mask in the below instances: - Children younger than 2 years old. - Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious. - Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

Air Quality Index

We are currently in wildfire season for this region of California which can result in elevated particulate matter levels and poor air quality conditions. The US EPA monitors Air Quality to include particulate matter throughout the US. The health department effects are increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease, and the elderly. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, or children should limit prolonged exertion. Please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 530-634-2045 for any questions. The following table summarizes the EPA Particle Matter Pollution recommendations and conditions.

How smoke from wildfires affects your vision

Published Sept. 11, 2020
By John Egan

Beale Air Force Base, Calif. --

As smoke continues to pose a threat, please remember the below tips to make sure you keep your eyes and lungs safe from hazardous air quality.

Eye Protection:

When possible, avoid prolonged exposures outside. When you can't avoid it, safety glasses are recommended to block particles in the air.
Minimize contact wear to avoid the potential for particles to become trapped between the lens and your eye.
Use artificial tears periodically to reduce any irritation, which will help you avoid itching and further irritating your eyes. If you need artificial tears, utilize the S.I.C.K. program at the pharmacy on base.
Cold compresses with a clean damp cloth can also help alleviate irritation.
Schedule an appointment with optometry if symptoms do not subside or become more severe.

Mask Safety:

Per CDC recommendation, remember to avoid using a mask in the below instances:

Children younger than 2 years old.
Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious.
Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

For more information on eye protection during wildfires go to: https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/wildfire-smoke-and-vision/
For the CDC guidance on mask wear, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

The presence of external links does not imply federal endorsement.