By snoadmin
Ashes fell on Cal State Long Beach Monday as the air quality on campus became considerably unhealthy, according to a university official. The string of wildfires across the Southland polluted the air over the course of the past weekend.
The air quality is in the “unhealthy category,” said Gary Pons, assistant director of Safety and Risk Management.
Pons advised people on campus to keep their outdoor activities to a minimum.
Some LBSU athletic teams that practice outdoors have cancelled practices today as well.
However, a few students said they weren’t bothered by the air conditions. Some students have accepted it.
“It’s part of life, but it sucks,” said Rebecca Engel, a graduate student in social work.
“I haven’t paid attention to it. I’m just focused on getting [to class],” said Aracely Alvarez, a graduate student in social work.
“I can smell it,” said Emily Sparkuhl, a senior child development major. “The ash bothers me, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Both the wind and the beach are factors helping improve CSULB’s air quality. If the winds stay up, the air will be healthier, said Pons. “[The beach] definitely helps – no question.”
Safety and Risk Management said the quality of the air will likely improve on a daily basis, with the day’s bad quality peak being around midday and getting better toward dusk.
Quotations from Students
“I have a seasonal allergies and my nose is really stuffy. I could still breathe, but it’s really bad. I use my spray often because of this weather. It’s really stuffy, dirty and a lot of debris.” – Marcela Delarosa, freshman business major
“It’s really bad out there and very gloomy. It’s more dusty than the previous days.” – Thomas Qian, freshman aerospace engineering major
“The fire affected the temperature, vision and air, and it’s bad for my eyes. I live in downtown Long Beach and there is a visibility problem. It’s foggy, like dirt fog. When I was skateboarding, it was hard to breathe. I had to use more energy than before.” – Olliviah Newell, junior child and family development major
“My father is from Montebello and he is a fireman. He has been gone for a while. Since he has been gone, my family is very close, and with events like this, it changes the family dynamics. The weather is very bad and I don’t have any health problems, but I feel sorry for those that do. It’s awful, there’s smoke everywhere and smells like barbecue.” – Adrianne Jimenez, junior science major
If you are a Cal State Long Beach student, faculty or staff member and have family or friends who are being affected by the fires currently in Malibu, San Diego County and other parts of Southern California, please e-mail us your stories or pictures for submission to a CSULB communitywide forum.
Submissions may be e-mailed to eicd49er@gmail.com or using the letter to the editor link on the left-side navigation.
CLICK HERE to view Monday’s Daily Forty-Niner submissions and coverage of the Southland fires and high Santa Ana winds.
