Smoke, Ozone And Coronavirus: Boulder County Issues Warning

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Wildfires continue to burn across Colorado, sending a blanket of smoke over the state. Boulder County, Metro Denver and other regions are also seeing unhealthy levels of ozone.

"The combination of fine particulates in smoke with lung-burning ozone can endanger your health and increase susceptibility to severe illness from COVID-19," Boulder County Public Health officials stated in a news release.

"Particulates and ozone can be harmful to everyone, but they are particularly damaging for seniors, children, and those with heart and lung conditions – many of the same people who are at added risk from COVID-19."

The agency has released the following guidelines for protecting your health:

• You can monitor air quality conditions at AirNow.gov. Boulder County Public Health is also keeping a tally of Ozone Action Days on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• Avoid prolonged exertion outdoors when air quality is poor. Smoke is influenced by wind and weather and can remain at consistently unhealthy levels for many days. Ozone is highest in the afternoon on hot, sunny days. To protect your lungs, it’s more important than ever to be careful when you venture from home. “I used to look forward to riding my bike after work,” said Collin Tomb, Air Quality Team Lead at Boulder County Public Health. “These days, I’m more aware of the harmful effects of ozone and smoke, especially when exercising outdoors. Because of this, I’ve moved my bike ride to the morning when the air quality is better and it’s cooler and more comfortable anyway.”

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• Take action and reduce pollution: Reduce driving, combine car trips, switch to electric lawn equipment and fill up on gasoline after 5 p.m., health officials said. Human activity creates air pollutants, many of which also warm the atmosphere. Ozone is formed by chemicals emitted from the use of fossil fuels in human activities like electricity generation, driving, heating and cooling and manufacturing. These processes also fuel climate change, which in turn increases the length and severity of wildfire season in the Western United States, health officials said.

The state has announced upcoming public hearings about pollution. More information about the hearings can be found here.