Smoky skies over the Thompson River in Kamloops on Aug. 17, 2018.
(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)
August 18, 2018 - 9:23 AM
The wildfires across the province has caused smoky skies and poor air quality for many communities in the Interior.
Interior Health sent out a press release this morning calling for people to take steps to protect their health and wellbeing, especially when doing strenuous outdoor activities.
The best way to protect your health when skies are smoky is to reduce your exposure and seek cleaner air. When the Air Quality Health Index is equal to or above a “4,” Interior Health recommends that people consider reducing or avoiding strenuous activities.
In B.C. the Air Quality Health Index is used to make recommendations for modifying outdoor activity and/or avoiding smoke. This index takes into consideration levels of particulate matter, NO2, SO2, and other gases that are known to negatively impact lung capacity, heart function, and blood flow to muscles and brain tissue. Smoke affects everyone differently, but those most at risk include people with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease., heart disease, or diabetes, and infants, the elderly and pregnant women.
If you are experiencing clinical symptoms of any kind, contact your health care provider or local walk-in clinic. If your symptoms are severe, seek emergency medical attention.
For more information on precautions when air quality is poor visit www.interiorhealth.ca or contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Interior Health
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