No long-term health effects as wildfire smoke lingers, government reassures
Posted August 22, 2018 9:47 pm.
Last Updated August 23, 2018 7:32 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BRITISH COLUMBIA (NEWS 1130) – Despite the thick smoke blanketing the province, there’s no need to panic about poor air quality. That’s according to B.C.’s chief medical health officer.
“We really do see this as a short-term exposure compared to the day in, day out exposures others have that have been associated with long-term effects,” Bonnie Henry says. “So for the vast majority of people the symptoms of irritation and shortness of breath are going to go away and most of us will be absolutely fine.”
RELATED: Smoke and haze can have you feeling down; CMHA talks mental health amid wildfires
Henry says it’s important to understand that this type of smoke is different from other types of air pollution that are “more toxic.”
“We have seen comparisons to cities like Beijing and Dehli, but air pollution there is caused by vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions and has other components to it that are also harmful to human health,” she adds.
She says the same goes for women who are pregnant or who recently gave birth, noting the impact on birth weights and infants is only seen with long-term exposure.
So what to do? She says people should try to avoid rigorous activities and stay indoors when possible. And when it comes to masks, Henry says despite popular belief, they might actually make matters worse.
“Simple mask like dust masks, surgical masks really don’t provide any protection,” she says. “And the particular respirators, the N95 masks, can really make the work of breathing much more difficult.”
RELATED: Shift in winds could clear up smoky air around Metro Vancouver
So people with breathing problems should not use any types of masks, adds Henry.
Ongoing advisories for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are not expected to be lifted before the weekend.
