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Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

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Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

2025-01-18 16:26 Last Updated At:19:07

Wildfires in the Los Angeles area of Southern California have forced residents to remain indoors due to hazardous air quality.

Health officials are warning of the long-term effects of toxic chemicals, ash, and particulate matter, which pose serious health risks to both humans and pets.

Nathaniel Stern, a resident of West Los Angeles, normally spends a lot of time outdoors with his dog. However, a week and a half of wildfires have changed all that. Stern, along with many others, is concerned about the long-term impact of toxic chemicals and ashes in the air.

"This is the first time I've ever seen ashes from the sky here in West Los Angeles. Because of that, the air quality has been so bad, I haven't been able to take him out for a walk around the block or go for my evening runs. We've just been cooped up inside for the past week," said Stern.

The smoke from the fires is harmful to pets as well. Health officials point out that even on seemingly clear days, particulate matter, hazardous soot, and microscopic pollution from the burned areas remain in the air.

"There are fine particulates in the air that are of small size, 2.5 micrometers, much smaller than a human hair, that can be breathed in and lodged deep in your lungs and really cause health problems, especially in the short run for people who have health conditions. But there's also a lot of ash, debris and dust as a result of burning of structures, houses, homes, cars. They can be quite toxic, and they've come in a toxic form. And they are in the ash and the dust," said Dr Anish Mahajan, chief deputy director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Health officials warn residents to take precautions if they see ash in the air and to wear a mask to avoid exposure.

"[If] they smell smoke or if they're having issues breathing, wear a mask and move out of the area, go to somewhere where it's clear. Right now, we don't have any smoke, but it could easily turn around if we get those red-flag warnings back, and we get a new start even in the area. That could very well happen," said Brent Pascua, CalFire Battalion chief.

Although the Air Quality Index has improved slightly in recent days, officials from the South Coast Air Quality Management District warn that conditions could worsen with more Santa Ana winds in the forecast. In such a case, they advise the public to wear N95 masks, stay indoors, and limit physical exercise.

The fierce wildfires across the Los Angeles area have so far killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 12,300 structures, local authorities confirmed on Thursday.

Up to 200,000 people have been displaced by the fires. As of Wednesday, some 82,400 residents were under evacuation orders and another 90,400 faced evacuation warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

Hazardous air quality forces residents indoors after wildfires in Los Angeles

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India's central bank cuts repo rate to 6.25 pct for 1st time in nearly 5 years

2025-02-09 17:03 Last Updated At:17:37

India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on Friday announced a reduction in repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent.

The repo rate is the rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks in the event of a shortfall of funds.

The move has been undertaken to boost the economy.

RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) last reduced the repo rate in May 2020 and kept it unchanged in the last 11 policy meetings.

After assessing the current and evolving macroeconomic situation, the MPC unanimously decided to reduce the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent with immediate effect, said a statement issued by the RBI.

Consequently, the standing deposit facility rate shall stand adjusted to 6.00 percent and the marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate to 6.50 percent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral monetary policy stance and remain unambiguously focused on a durable alignment of inflation with the target, while supporting growth.

According to the RBI, these decisions are in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index inflation of 4 percent within a band of plus and minus 2 percent, while supporting growth.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), India's GDP is estimated to grow at 6.4 percent for the financial year 2024-25, compared to the initially-projected 7.2 percent in October last year.

India's central bank cuts repo rate to 6.25 pct for 1st time in nearly 5 years

India's central bank cuts repo rate to 6.25 pct for 1st time in nearly 5 years

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