Where There's Smoke, There's a Potential Health Problem

Monday, June 21, 2010 12:56 PM

Prince George, B.C.- With an air quality advisory in effect because of the smoke from the Greer Creek fire, Northern Health is advising residents of the Bulkley Valley, Vanderhoof and Prince George areas that smoke from forest fires in the region could pose a potential health risk, especially for children and people with chronic conditions.

Reducing your exposure to smoke and other airborne contaminants is key to staying healthy when air quality is less than ideal. In the case of wood smoke from sources like forest fires, health effects are usually related to irritation of eyes, throat or the respiratory tract. Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of wood smoke and may experience symptoms at concentrations of smoke that are easily tolerated by others. Both the particles and gases found in wood smoke can affect health, although particles are likely responsible for most effects.

Although sensitivity to wood smoke varies, people who have heart disease or lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma may experience worsening of their symptoms. Children breathe more rapidly than adults and may also be a sensitive group.

There are a number of ways to reducing exposure and prevent symptoms, including:

Seeking an area with lower smoke concentrations Depending on the prevailing smoke conditions, this could be as simple as avoiding the smoke plume, finding a relatively smoke-free indoor environment in a building or vehicle, or may require temporarily relocating to a location with less smoke.
Staying indoors in a sealed building with filtered central air conditioning systems
Travelling in air conditioned vehicles with effective filtration systems or with the air conditioning operated in ‘re-circulate’ mode may provide an environment with lower smoke concentrations

Simple dust masks are unlikely to provide much reduction in exposure to fine particles or gaseous pollutants. The more sophisticated masks that do provide protection against fine particles require fit testing and fit checking to be effective, and may require increased effort to breathe.

If you feel you are being affected by wood smoke, take steps to reduce your exposure and seek medical attention for severe symptoms. If activity makes your symptoms worse, reduce your level of activity.

For more information on air quality and your health, call HealthLink BC toll free at 8-1-1, or go online at www.healthlinkbc.ca. Registered nurses at HealthLink BC can provide confidential non-emergency health advice and information, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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