The rise in wildfires globally brings into sharp focus how such disasters increasingly threaten our health and security. One question many people ask is how poor air quality could be harming their health.
The rise in wildfires globally brings into sharp focus how such disasters increasingly threaten our health and security. One question many people ask is how poor air quality could be harming their health.
Brooks Udelsman, MD, MHS, a thoracic surgeon with USC Surgery, part of Keck Medicine of USC, understands this concern. He shares his clinical perspective and advice on how you can protect yourself.
How wildfires affect air quality: There’s no question that wildfires wreak havoc on air quality. Air Quality Index (AQI) spikes may rise to “hazardous” levels of pollution. The nature of the pollutants themselves also raise alarms. Dr. Udelsman notes that levels of asbestos, lead and microplastics can increase in a fire’s immediate aftermath.
Read more at: University of South California
