Smoky Air Calls For Health Precautions

Dr. Sunil Sharma recently shared some insight on the impact of the current wildfire smoke moving through West Virginia. 

“These are so small particles that our body’s filters – the nasal hairs and others, are not able to filter them,” Sharma said. “They have the ability to go all the way deep into a respiratory symptom. They also have an ability, which we call a spillover, to go into our blood. These are not allergens. These are irritants that can cause inflammation inside your lungs. And that’s why they’re so dangerous. Imagine people who already have lung problems.” 

Sharma noted that West Virginia has the highest number of COPD patients in the U.S. He said this obstructive lung disease, a very fatal condition often caused by smoking, means people’s lungs are already damaged and inflamed. He said any extra inflammation can tip them over, causing increased hospitalization and emergency room visits.

“The small particulates, when you’re exposed to these and they spill into your blood, can cause heart attacks, “Sharma said. “You see increased rates of heart attacks during these periods of acute exposure to these very small particulates.” 

Sharma said the air quality in Morgantown Thursday registered above 215 on the Air Quality Index — a level he said is very severe, offering comparison.

“Anytime you’re above 200 it’s almost equal to smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day,” Sharma said. “You can imagine that if people are susceptible in the areas that are already inflamed, and you light up one cigarette after the other, by the end of half a pack a day, your lungs would be severely inflamed. You would definitely be looking at some kind of an exacerbation in your underlying disease.”

Sharma suggests if the air quality is severe, people who are susceptible should consider enjoying the indoors, people who work outside should limit their hours and all should avoid – or limit – outdoor exertional activity.

“Anytime you do a very exertional activity, you have to take very deep breaths,” Sharma said. “That means that many of these particles can go very deep down inside your lungs and settle in your alveoli or have a spillover effect. So if you’re jogging, turn it into walking. If you are spending four hours outdoors, spend only two hours.”

Original Story

With numerous West Virginia area air quality levels in the unhealthy range due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, medical experts are advising health precautions for both the general public and those at greater risk.

See feature article from WV Public Broadcasting here: https://wvpublic.org/smoky-air-calls-for-health-precautions/