Heat, smoke brings call to help Spare the Air

Regarding the story, “Haze from fire chokes South Bay,” (Page 1B, July 26), Bay Area residents are suffering a triple whammy health threat this week – extreme heat, increased ozone pollution and wildfire smoke. It’s a reminder of the health challenges we are encountering due to climate change.

Climate change increases heat and drought, leading to greater risk of wildfires. Microscopic particles found in wildfire smoke can cause coughing and asthma flareups, heart attacks and premature death, especially for those with heart and lung diseases.

It’s important to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Stay indoors. Put your air conditioner on recirculate in the car. Monitor your breathing and exposure to the smoke.

As a physician, I see the need for all of us to do our part to reduce the dangerous emissions that cause air pollution and climate change. I encourage everyone to heed the call to take public transit or carpool during Spare the Air days. It is critical to our public health. Dr. Catherine Sonquist Forest California’s Doctors for Climate Health American Lung Association