What Do The Air Quality Issues From The Canadian Wildfires Mean For Public Health?

The wildfires in Canada, which have resulted in dangerous levels of air quality in Maryland, have raised many questions about the health of these airborne particles.

Richard Branson, MD, respiratory therapist and editor of Respiratory Care, the official journal of the American Respiratory Association, and professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, knows all too well how this pollution can affect public health.

As air quality warning days began last month in the wake of wildfires on Canada's east coast, health officials urged the public, especially vulnerable populations, to take measures to prevent respiratory illness.

"A big concern is the particles in the air that remain after the wood is burned," says Branson. "Smaller particles and chemicals can end up in the lower parts of the lungs." This can cause inflammation and irritation. In the short term, it can cause shortness of breath and put people at risk. the hospital. In people with normal lungs, it may be associated with a slightly increased risk of pneumonia. "

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Safety compliance, limit exposure

Vulnerable groups include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smokers, and people with persistent symptoms of COVID-19, according to the CDC. Children and the elderly are among the hardest hit.

Although the most serious health issues are related to long-term exposure, there are some best practices to follow on air quality alert days.

Among other things.

• Don't go outside when the air quality is particularly bad

• Limit time outdoors or postpone outdoor activities when air quality is poor.

• Wear an N-95 mask if you must be outside on air raid days.

• Create a "clean" room in your home if you are prone to breathing problems by closing all doors and windows and placing towels in small openings at the base of doors and windows.

• Finally, be sure to update your air conditioner's filters to keep as much troublesome air inside as possible.

Learn more about the Air Pollution Alerts. Air pollution knows no national borders. Carp warns of regional ozone levels

Treat respiratory problems

“Treatment involves administering medications that reduce irritation and inflammation. Severe, long-term cases are similar to the illnesses we see with smoking. This is oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the effect is not the main thing,” Branson said.

Bronson said there has been an increase in emergency room visits for patients with asthma and other chronic lung diseases across the country.

As post-COVID infections persist in the general population, Branson warned of pulmonary fibrosis or scarring in such cases. The problems associated with "long COVID" are similar to those seen with other chronic lung conditions.

"These [patients] are likely to breathe rapidly as a result of this lung damage, so they breathe in more particles into their lungs and have a decreased ability to clear them from the airways and suffocate," Branson said.

Environmental data collected on wildfires in Canada has affected more than 98 million people in 18 provinces and more than 30 million people in the Northeast, West and Mid-Atlantic regions, with air quality warnings from smoke from wildfires in Canada. .

This article originally appeared in the Salisbury Daily Times; What are the health and air quality issues related to wildfires in Canada?

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