The massive brush fires in Southern California are putting vast quantities of pollution into the air.
KABC medical expert Dr. Daliah Wachs says the particulate matter in the wildfire smoke carries many respiratory irritants.
“You guys have carbon monoxide, you have these little wood particles, there’s formaldehyde, little plastics. Remember, when things burn – anything that burned is in the air, not to mention anything that reacts to heat – you have those chemicals as well.”
She says it’s important to get the right kind of mask.
“I would prefer these respiratory masks that are labelled N95 or N100. Those may provide some protection.”
Here are some of the symptoms ou may experience due to the smoke.
- Cough
- Wheeze
- Difficulty Breathing
- Chest Pain
- Mucous Production
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Racing Heart (palpitations)
- Exacerbation of their lung disease including COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis
- Exacerbation of heart conditions such as angina, heart attack, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Increased susceptibility to new lung infections as well as flu
For more information, go to https://doctordaliah.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/health-risks-from-wildfire-smoke/
Dr. Daliah Wachs was a guest on McIntyre in the Morning.
By Sandy Wells