Smoke from the nearby El Dorado fire continues to blow into the Morongo Basin. Public health experts say smoke from the wildfires carry dangerous levels of particulate matter. Reporter Andrew Dieleman has tips from health experts on how to protect yourself from smokey air…
Dr. Janice Kirsch, a medical oncologist trained in public health, is warning California residents of the dangers of wildfire smoke, saying the toxins in the smoke can cause serious bodily damage.
“Breathing these particulates can cause or exacerbate heart disease, respiratory disease, lung cancer and probably other cancers. Prolonged repeated exposure leads to dementia and other behavioral problems in children.”
Air quality can be almost as bad indoors as it is outdoors. Residents are encouraged to use an air purifier and to turn on their air conditioner on recirculate if they have one. If you must go outside, N-95 masks are effective, but cloth coronavirus masks will not stop particulate matter.
