Air pollution and heat: an unhealthful combo

SEATTLE, Aug. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The forest fires are still raging in British Columbia, and the smog has settled in, along with the heat, in the Pacific Northwest.  While this may produce beautiful sunsets, the smoke is not good for health.

In one video clip, UW Medicine's Dr. Sverre Vedal, talks about what the pollution may mean for residents dealing with asthma or heart disease.

Concentrated air pollution – which surpassed Beijing's usually smoggy air this week - can even pose problems for healthy individuals, as well as the very young or the elderly, Vedal says.

Some of the areas in the Seattle area with very high smoke concentrations include South Tacoma and Puyallup.   Please use these clips as you see fit for your reporting during the heat-smoke conditions today and through next week.

Vedal is with the University of Washington School of Medicine and Harborview Medical Center. He has studied air quality in China, on the effects of roadway pollution.

In the second video clip, Anne Newcombe, clinical director, Emergency Services, UW Medicine's Harborview Medical Center, shares her experience with a few of the most common heat-related problems, and some tips for staying safe in hot weather.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B81eoU9Gvp9eeXdZXzFienNNbXM?usp=sharing

News agencies are free to use these videos on their channels and websites. 

Media contact:  Susan Gregg, sghanson@uw.edu
Phone: 206.616.6730
Cell: 206.390.3226
Main: 206.543.3620

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SOURCE UW Medicine