Local Doctors See Effects From Canadian Wild Fires

How the Air Pollution Can Effect Your Health

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The milky skies from the wildfires in Canada are slowly clearing away, but not quick enough. 

The pollution earlier this week had reached a level considered unhealthy for everyone. 

St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth saw nearly half a dozen patients with irritation and inflammation in their lungs due to the air pollution.

The small particles in the air are affecting patients with emphysema, asthma and other lung diseases. 

“Some of these people that are exposed to this come in and sometimes even need to be admitted because it causes an exacerbation of their underlying lung disease,” said St. Luke’s Emergency Physician, Dr. Christopher Delp. 

But, the elderly are most at risk. 

“They already have a tenuous position on their lungs anyways.  It doesn’t take much to tip them over the edge and make them sometimes quite sick,” said Delp.

When air quality is low, Delp suggest the best thing to do is stay indoors.

“People with asthma should be avoiding exercise and doing things when smoke gets to be this bad,” said Delp. 

While most of us will want to be outside enjoying the weather, doctors warn the fires could burn for the rest of the summer and affect our air quality.