Thurston County Health


– “Wildfire smoke will hurt your health, if you don’t take precautions”
By Dr. Rachel Wood, Health officer for Thurston and Lewis counties, contributing writer to The Olympian

“Breathing in smoke is bad for you, whether that smoke comes from cigarettes, wood stoves, or a burn pile in the back yard. In the heat of the Washington summer, however, there also are health effects from smoke related to wildfires.”

“Thurston County didn’t go through the intense smokiness that some places did, but there can still be health impacts from bad air quality, especially for people who are at higher risk, such as:
* People with heart or lung disease, including asthma or COPD
* Older adults
* Children, including teenagers
* Pregnant women

“If you fall into a higher risk category, talk with your health-care provider and have a plan, as well as an extra supply of medications such as inhalers.

“There are additional steps you can take to help protect yourself from the impacts of wildfire smoke. Start by keeping track of your local air quality through the www.airnow.gov, or go to http://www.WAsmoke.blogspot.com to track wildfires in the state.”
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– “Air quality on the decline in Northwest even as emissions fall”
“New research shows air quality in the Northwest is getting worse even as it gets better around the country. And the lead scientist says wildfires are to blame.”
From Giuliana Viglione, KING 5 TV News, Seattle.
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