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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Smoke from a mulch yard fire on Summer Avenue is causing health concerns in several areas.
An air quality monitor at Shelby Farms is showing the air there is at very unhealthy levels.
The monitor showed a reading of 161, by comparison anything below 50 is considered healthy and anything above 150 is considered unhealthy for people with medical conditions.
According to the Shelby County Health department, “At the levels being recorded at this one monitor, everyone may begin to experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups, however, may experience more serious health effects. Sensitive groups include the very old and young and anyone with respiratory disorders or cardiovascular problems. Those in sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time or place when the air quality is better. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Take more breaks during all outdoor activities.”
A health department spokesperson stressed only one sensor is showing this dangerous level at this time.
Smoke from the fire is causing a lot of people to ask, ‘what is that smell?’
The smoke is a mixture of water and burning mulch as well as chemically treated pallets.
See the chart below on how you should handle this situation.
Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time or place when the air quality is better.
— Shelby County Health (@ShelbyTNHealth) October 14, 2015
