The Los Angeles fires have been devastating for many families, businesses, healthcare facilities, and important government buildings. With hospitals having to reconstruct how they operate, many residents are finding the adjustment to be very challenging. Plenty of people fail to realize that it is a lot more than just the fire that is causing a short-term and long-term health issue.
One of those health issuing factors include ash, dust, and other airborne particles that spread throughout the outside, and even inside of the home. Although ash from wildfires is typically not toxic, it can still cause irritation to various body parts, such as the throat, eyes, nose, and skin.
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This poses a threat to many residents who are asthmatic, as this can trigger attacks, with shortness of breath being more common. This can happen at any giving moment, causing many short-term health related issues, especially amongst elderly adults.
Long term health issues revolving around ash and dust debris, in many cases may contain cancer-causing and toxic chemicals. Some include lead, arsenic, and asbestos.
With the air quality being much worse in various parts of Los Angeles than others, there are still common practices that we can use to ensure that we are protecting ourselves and our loved ones.
According to recovery.lacounty.gov, a few practices that produce beneficial results are:
- Do not let children play in or with items that have or contain ash particles
- Avoid skin contact
- Wear household dishwashing gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants if you plan to help clean up any ash debris
- A disposable N-95 mask or better can be worn when cleaning ash debris, or just for everyday activities. It must be properly fitted, as an improper fit is relatively the same as not wearing a mask.
Please be sure to stay up to date with health news to ensure that you stay safe.
