International SOS released the updated information below in it's Daily Digest:
Canada: Advisory: Potential health risks from wildfires in Fort McMurray region
In Brief
Parts of northern Alberta are experiencing poor air quality following regional wildfires. The city of Fort McMurray has been evacuated and sections of the city have been damaged by fire. As of late May, the conditions improved in areas north of Fort McMurray and mandatory evacuation order was lifted in some areas. Polluted air can cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, irritation of the eyes and nose and can also aggravate existing heart and lung disease.
Advice
The area surrounding Fort McMurray has been significantly affected by smoke from forest fires in the region. The Canadian Government's Air Quality Health Impact (AQHI) scale has exceeded the maximum 10 which equates to a "Very High Risk" of adverse health effects. The severity of the air pollution will vary, depending on weather conditions, and the level of air pollution is projected to remain elevated for extended periods until the fires are brought under control. For the current air quality measurements, see the Government of Canada updates for the Fort McMurray area and a near real time map of fires in the region is available from NASA.
What are the health concerns of air pollution?
Generally, polluted air causes minor, acute health problems such as eye and nasal irritation and cough. Other symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting. The chemicals and particles in polluted air can cause breathing passages to become temporarily inflamed, decrease lung capacity and result in wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and even pain upon deep inhalation. It can also exacerbate chronic heart disease and existing respiratory conditions, like asthma and emphysema. Certain people, for reasons as yet unknown, are particularly sensitive to ozone even without any underlying risk factors.
Some groups are especially vulnerable to problems caused by polluted air. These include older people, children, and anyone with underlying chronic health problems such as heart disease, emphysema, bronchitis or asthma. Long-term exposure to pollution can result in reduced lung function, particularly in children.
For more information:
Canada: Advisory: Potential health risks from wildfires in Fort McMurray region
In Brief
Parts of northern Alberta are experiencing poor air quality following regional wildfires. The city of Fort McMurray has been evacuated and sections of the city have been damaged by fire. As of late May, the conditions improved in areas north of Fort McMurray and mandatory evacuation order was lifted in some areas. Polluted air can cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, irritation of the eyes and nose and can also aggravate existing heart and lung disease.
Advice
- Avoid travel to Fort McMurray while the mandatory evacuation order remains in place; members in the vicinity of Fort McMurray should adhere to all instructions issued by the authorities.
- Continue to monitor the situation via the Municipality of Wood Buffalo website and the International SOS Travel Security Alert.
- follow the advice of local authorities and evacuate when instructed to do so
- minimise time outdoors
- reduce physical exertion
- keep windows and doors closed
- consider using an air cleaning device
- use air conditioner in ‘recirculate' mode
- consider using a respirator (N95 mask) while outdoors (consult your doctor for an individual recommendation)
- consult your medical practitioner if you experience symptoms.
The area surrounding Fort McMurray has been significantly affected by smoke from forest fires in the region. The Canadian Government's Air Quality Health Impact (AQHI) scale has exceeded the maximum 10 which equates to a "Very High Risk" of adverse health effects. The severity of the air pollution will vary, depending on weather conditions, and the level of air pollution is projected to remain elevated for extended periods until the fires are brought under control. For the current air quality measurements, see the Government of Canada updates for the Fort McMurray area and a near real time map of fires in the region is available from NASA.
What are the health concerns of air pollution?
Generally, polluted air causes minor, acute health problems such as eye and nasal irritation and cough. Other symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting. The chemicals and particles in polluted air can cause breathing passages to become temporarily inflamed, decrease lung capacity and result in wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and even pain upon deep inhalation. It can also exacerbate chronic heart disease and existing respiratory conditions, like asthma and emphysema. Certain people, for reasons as yet unknown, are particularly sensitive to ozone even without any underlying risk factors.
Some groups are especially vulnerable to problems caused by polluted air. These include older people, children, and anyone with underlying chronic health problems such as heart disease, emphysema, bronchitis or asthma. Long-term exposure to pollution can result in reduced lung function, particularly in children.
For more information:
- See the information sheet Air Quality, Managing Its Effects
- See the International SOS Pollution website - use your membership number to log in at www.internationalsos.com/air-pollution
- Consult the Travel Advice article "Evaluating Air Quality" on International SOS Country Guides
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