Wildfire Smoke Continues to Blanket United States, Impacting Air Quality and Lung Health

CHICAGO, July 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfire smoke coming primarily from Canada and the Western United States has continued to stretch across the continent this week, filling the skies with a thick haze and creating unhealthy air quality conditions in localities throughout the nation. The American Lung Association warns that such smoke poses potentially lethal health hazards to people, especially those with respiratory issues.

Residents with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart disease should take extra precautions during this time and call their physician immediately if problems develop. Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause serious health problems ranging from pneumonia and asthma attacks to cardiovascular harm. Most vulnerable to smoke exposure are children and teens, pregnant women, outside workers, the elderly and anyone with existing respiratory problems or heart disease.

"The sheer scope of the wildfire smoke has created air quality conditions that in some places put even healthy individuals without lung disease at risk," said American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer, Albert Rizzo, M.D., FACP. "It's important that residents with lung health issues are aware of the dangers, take precautions and stay indoors with closed doors and windows when air quality becomes unhealthy."

Protecting lung health should be part of a wildfire emergency plan. As general recommendations:

For a complete list of recommendations to protect lung health during wildfires, see this handy Wildfire Preparedness Flyer. This information is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Russian. 

Further information on respiratory health during wildfires can be found at Lung.org/wildfires and a dedicated Spanish language page at Lung.org/incendiosforestales.

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

American Lung Association • 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150 • Chicago, IL 60601
1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 1425 North • Washington, D.C. 20004
1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

SOURCE American Lung Association

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