California wildfires making children sick

According to a new study, the wildfires that swept through southern California in 2003 are causing wheezing, sore throats, eye irritation, colds, coughing and other respiratory problems in many children. Asthmatic children, being particularly susceptible to the effects of the smoky air, suffered the most symptoms. Even non-asthmatic children suffered from the same symptoms.

“The fire gave the non-asthmatics an idea of what it means to live with asthma,” Dr. Nino Kunzli, the study’s lead author, told Reuters Health.

Protective measures can be taken to prevent such health problems.

“It is clear that reduction of exposure to wildfire smoke reduces the health problems,” Dr. Nino Kunzli, the study's lead author, said. If families can’t evacuate their homes in such situations, he noted, measures like using masks and staying inside might at least reduce any respiratory effects.  Read it here.