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How to protect yourself from bad air quality due to wildfire smoke

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As wildfires burn in parts of Canada and the wind carries smoke into communities near and far, health experts are advising people to regularly check air quality ratings and take precautions.

Wildfire smoke contains “particulate matter” — or small particles — that can be harmful when we breathe it in, Dawn Bowdish, a scientific adviser and board member for the Lung Health Foundation, said in an interview on Friday.

“It can compromise the immune cells in our lungs and if it gets into our circulation …those particulates can stimulate inflammatory responses in the heart and the vasculature in the lungs,” said Bowdish, who is also the executive director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health in Hamilton, Ont.

That’s especially dangerous for people with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and can also cause cardiovascular problems, she said.

Dr. Alex Chee, a respirologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Calgary, added that people sometimes don’t realize that air pollution is associated with heart disease, but said studies have correlated high levels of pollution and smog with more heart attacks.

Wildfires that burn through towns — like the ongoing fire in Jasper, Alta. — carry extra pollutants because the smoke is contaminated by burning rubber tires, plastic, metals and petrochemicals, Chee said.

Bowdish said wildfire smoke also contains gases called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which “have a number of toxic effects” and are harder to filter out.

“During wildfire season, it’s really important, especially for people with asthma (or) COPD or heart conditions to pay attention to air quality monitors and air quality results because they need to adjust their behaviours,” said Bowdish.

“Otherwise they’re really high risk of being hospitalized for asthma, COPD or these cardiovascular events.”

Chee noted that children, seniors and pregnant women are also at higher risk of bad health effects from poor air quality. For those who are pregnant, the pollutants from wildfire smoke can also affect the fetus, he said.

It’s important for everyone – even those who don’t think they are at high risk – to protect themselves as much as possible from poor air quality, the experts say, noting that outdoor conditions can change from hour to hour.

It’s good for people with chronic conditions to have their own air quality monitors at home to ensure an accurate local reading, Bowdish said. Otherwise, Environment Canada’s air quality index is a good place to turn, she said.

Chee said that when the air quality index has a rating of “high” or “very high” risk, everyone should stay indoors with the windows closed if they can — as long as they’re able to stay cool enough.

Even if the air quality improves to “moderate,” people at higher risk should still try to stay indoors as much as they can, he said.

Environment Canada recommends that higher-risk people “consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors” if they are experiencing symptoms when the air quality risk rating is moderate.

“Moderate risk is not no risk,” Bowdish emphasized.

Ensuring the air inside the home is as clean as possible through filtration is vital, the experts say.

They recommend air purifiers, air conditioners or turning the furnace on to the fan setting.

In all cases, it’s important that the appliances have HEPA filters or filters with a rating of MERV 13.

But both Chee and Bowdish recognize that many people — including vulnerable seniors — don’t have air conditioning, furnaces or air purifiers.

In those cases, they suggest people try to get to air-conditioned spaces such as malls, libraries or cooling centres.

Another option is homemade air filters made of box fans and MERV 13-rated filters, known as a Corsi-Rosenthal box, with instructions available online.

But Bowdish said in the longer term, it’s vital for policymakers to change how homes, cottages and other buildings are constructed so that indoor air quality protection and air conditioning is built in, rather than putting all the responsibility for staying safe from worsening air quality and heat on individuals.

“The climate is going to change and our summers are going to get hotter and hotter and wildfires are going to be more and more common,” she said.

“Putting in rules about building construction so that all — especially vulnerable people who have to live in rental apartments where they may not be able to … make the changes they need — are in safe buildings with air conditioning and with good air (is essential).”

If people need to go outside when air quality is bad, wearing N-95 masks helps filter out some of the harmful particulate matter in wildfire smoke, Bowdish and Chee said.

The Lung Health Foundation also urges people with respiratory conditions to keep their inhalers close by.

The foundation emphasizes that in addition to chronic respiratory conditions, infectious respiratory illnesses – such as COVID-19 or flu – also put people at higher risk when the air quality isn’t good.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2024.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

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CP NewsAlert: Two people confirmed killed when Vancouver Island road washed out

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PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid pouring rain on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.

The body of the other driver was found Sunday.

More coming.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Sonia Furstenau staying on as B.C. Greens leader in wake of indecisive election

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The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.

The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”

Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.

Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.

He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.

But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.

The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio making a difference off the pitch as well as on it

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Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.

The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.

Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.

Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”

Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.

The winner will be announced in late November.

The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.

The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.

They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.

The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.

“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.

“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”

His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.

“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.

“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”

The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.

“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”

Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.

“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.

The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.

“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”

Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.

“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”

“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”

The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.

Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.

A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.

Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.



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