Ferocious fires spark concern over major health consequences

UPDATE 11/15/18 6:45 p.m. Wildfires are sparking concern among medical experts about potentially major health consequences.

The smoke bringing unhealthy air quality to the Central Coast has some school taking precautions.

Principal of Vine Hill Elementary School says they’re keeping kids indoors for P.E. and recess. They’ve also canceled several outdoor field trips.

“We want to make sure that the air quality is safe enough for our students to go out. Generally about 100 is the number that we call an indoor recess and this morning was about 154 so we figured it was much safer to keep kids inside,” says principal Tracey Neilsen.

It’s a precaution parents tell KION they’re happy is being taken. “They play so hard out there and there’s enough cold and asthma problems, i’m very happy they’re taking steps to care after our children safety and health,” says Amanda Murray.

According to Dr. Greg Whitley with Dominican Hospital, the long term impacts of fire smoke have not been proven, but there are short term impacts, “flare-ups of asthma, emphysema, heart problems and just irritation cough bronchitis.”

He says being outdoors all day in air quality with a 140-150 index is equivalent to smoke 6-7 cigarettes.

But with fires now happening year round it’s exposing many more people to choking smoke that contains many of the same toxic ingredients as urban air pollution. Heart problems and cancer have been linked with exposure to smog.

Scientists worry that repeated exposure to wildfire smoke might carry the same risks.

Dr. Whitley says the best way to let your lungs recover if you are exposed to smoke all day, “just being inside where the air quality is generally better and getting out of the smokey air conditions is the best way to do that.”

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Recurring wildfires are sparking concern among medical experts about potentially major health consequences.

Worsening asthma, lung disease and even heart attacks in heart disease patients have all been linked with previous fires.

But blazes that used to be seasonal are happening nearly year-round and increasingly spreading into cities. That’s exposing many more people to choking smoke that contains many of the same toxic ingredients as urban air pollution. Heart problems and cancer have been linked with exposure to smog.

Scientists worry that repeated exposure to wildfire smoke might carry the same risks.

KION’s Ashley Keehn will have more on just how dangerous the smokey air is on the Central Coast at 5 and 6 p.m.