BOULDER COUNTY -  After the fire at the Caribou Village Shopping Center, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH), with assistance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Environmental Monitoring Unit, conducted mobile air quality monitoring in and around the affected area.

Data was collected from Boulder to Nederland, including neighborhoods near the site and areas where first responders and media were present.

Preliminary results show that while some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were elevated near the site, all levels remained well within safe standards. Air quality in nearby neighborhoods and along Boulder Canyon was consistent with normal background levels.

While air quality is improving, some people, especially those who have respiratory conditions, may experience symptoms such as:

• Watery eyes

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• Headaches

• Nausea

“If you experience any symptoms, consider relocating temporarily and contacting your health care provider. If you smell smoke or fumes, limit outdoor activities and avoid strenuous exercise,” said Bill Hayes, air quality coordinator for Boulder County Public Health. “We’re continuing to monitor conditions and provide guidance to help residents stay safe, especially those with respiratory sensitivities.”

N95 masks:

• Do not protect against fumes or gases.

• Do help reduce exposure to smoke, ash and other particulates.

• If you have asthma, COPD, or a heart condition, consult your health care provider before using an N95 mask.

Indoor air quality:

• Consider using a HEPA air purifier with an activated carbon pre-filter.

• Choose a unit that matches your room size.

• Avoid ionizing or infrared air purifiers, which may produce harmful byproducts.

For more air quality information, visit www.boco.org/AirQuality .