Just Ask Asthmatics How Perilous Wildfire Smoke Can Be
Pollution and global warming threaten our lungs.
England cricketer Stuart Broad takes his inhaler.
Photographer: Stu Forster/AFP via Getty Images
Canadian wildfire smoke is back with a vengeance as, once again, millions of Americans were told to stay inside last week or wear masks to protect themselves from dangerously high levels of air pollution. As an asthmatic, I fear for my fellow sufferers.
Wildfire smoke — containing nasties such as particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants and nitrogen dioxide — is bad for everyone, but can be life-threatening for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. On June 7, New York City had the worst air quality of any city in the world; emergency-room visits for asthma-related conditions spiked.