Wichita air ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ official says. What you need to know
Pollutants from burning in the Flint Hills has made Wichita’s air “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” city of Wichita Environmental Management Analyst Alejandro Arias-Esparza said in an email Wednesday.
Elderly people, young children or anyone with a respiratory illness should limit their time outdoors, Arias-Esparza said.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment warned Wednesday morning that the pollutants could affect the Wichita area Wednesday and Thursday.
The KDHE expects the air quality in the area to range from moderate to unhealthy.
“The most significant impacts will occur during the evening, overnight and mornings hours,” a KDHE news release says. “Additional burning today will continue to impact air quality for the southern Flint Hills westward, including Wichita, the Red Hills region, and perhaps as far west as Liberal. “
The air quality in your area can be checked at airnow.gov. The site shows the Wichita area currently under moderate conditions for air quality.
The prescribed burns in the Flint Hills — done annually to help control invasive plants and mitigate wildfires — release “particulate matter … and substances that can form ozone,” the release says. Both can be harmful, even for healthy people.
In an email, Arias-Esparza cited the concerns with the ozone levels in Wichita.
Common problems that arise are burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. People with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and those who are elderly may have worse symptoms.
Here’s what you can do to reduce any harmful effects:
Limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
People with respiratory or heart-related illnesses should stay inside
Keep your home clean by keeping doors and windows closed and air conditioning running with air filters
Keep hydrated
Contact your doctor if you experience chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue
This story was originally published April 14, 2021 at 9:58 AM.