The Lancaster County Health Department has issued a health advisory because of smoke from burning north of Nebraska City. Smoke may reach levels that are unhealthy for children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory or heart conditions.
“Prescribed burning near Nebraska City combined with easterly winds may result in brief periods of smoke levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, but that smoke is likely to move out of the area as a storm front moves in later today and this evening,” says Gary Bergstrom, Air Quality Program Supervisor with LLCHD.
Breathing smoke can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause chest pain in some people with heart disease, Bergstrom said. Those at risk can protect their health when air quality is poor by staying indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, using a HEPA filter and using the “re-circulate” setting when using a vehicle’s heater or air conditioner.