California Fires - Tips to Protect Your Lungs From The American Lung Association of California
28 October 2003 - 12:52AM
PR Newswire (US)
California Fires - Tips to Protect Your Lungs From The American
Lung Association of California LOS ANGELES, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ --
The American Lung Association of California offers the following
lung health tips and information about clean-up protection to
residents affected by current fires throughout the state. People
with respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis
should monitor their breathing and exposure to airborne matter and
consult with a physician immediately, should problems develop.
General Recommendations: * People living in fire-stricken areas
should remain indoors and avoid inhalation of smoke, ashes and
particulate matter in the air. * It is recommended that people in
the immediate and surrounding areas of the fires refrain from
exercising outdoors; particularly if they smell smoke or notice eye
or throat irritation. * When driving your car through smoky areas,
keep your windows and air vents closed. Air conditioning should
only be operated in the "recirculate" setting. People with
respiratory problems, including asthma, emphysema and bronchitis,
who live in immediate and surrounding areas of fires should: * Stay
indoors as much as possible, with doors, windows and fireplace
dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air
conditioners and/or air cleaners and purifiers. Use air
conditioners on the recirculation setting so outside air will not
be moved into the room. * If outdoor trips in smoky areas are
necessary, breathe through a damp cloth to help filter out
particles in the air. * People with asthma should optimize their
use of medication during this time and be sure to have
medication(s) (pills, inhalers) available in case of asthma
attacks, and should consult with their physicians regarding
appropriate dosages for asthma prevention. * People using oxygen
should not adjust their level of intake before consulting their
physicians. * If pulmonary symptoms are not relieved by usual
medicines, seek medical attention. Symptoms to watch for are:
wheezing; shortness of breath; difficulty taking a full breath;
chest heaviness; light headedness and dizziness. * If you develop a
persistent cough, or difficult or painful breathing, contact your
physician. It is important to be aware that the onset of symptoms
can appear as late as 24 to 48 hours after exposure and that smoke
can remain in areas for many days after the fires have ended. In
relation to clean up, residents and volunteers should keep the
following in mind, as the clean-up process involves ashes and other
particulates: * People with lung or heart problems should avoid
clean-up activities and areas where dust or soot is present. *
Thoroughly wet dusty and sooty areas prior to clean-up. This will
help to reduce the amount of particles becoming airborne. * Wear an
appropriate dust mask during clean-up. * If exposure to asbestos or
other hazardous materials are suspected, do not disturb the area.
Dust masks do not protect against asbestos. For free information
about lung health, call the American Lung Association, toll-free,
at 1 (800) LUNG-USA, which will automatically connect you with your
local American Lung Association office. Andy Weisser Vice
President, Communications American Lung Association of California
P.O. Box 16400 Encino, CA 91416-6400 818.703.6444 F818.703.6466
http://californialung.org/ DATASOURCE: American Lung Association of
California CONTACT: Andy Weisser, Vice President, Communications,
of American Lung Association of California, +1-818-703-6444, fax,
+1-818-703-6466 Web site: http://www.californialung.org/
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