Health professionals warn of health effects from exposure to smoke

Bakersfield, CA (KERO) —Winds have deteriorated air quality as smoke from forest fires from the Windy and KNP complex fires spreads to Bakersfield. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Act warns that the air quality in Bakersfield is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Exposure to smoke and other pollutants also poses a risk of long-term health effects, according to medical experts.

“A lot of my patients have a lot of breathing problems,” pulmonologist Mushtag Ahmed said.

Mushtag Ahmed is a pulmonologist at the San Joaquin Valley Pulmonary Medical Group in Bakersfield. He says the smoke in the air is making the people of Bakersfield sick.

“They have tighter breasts. Some patients may need to go to the emergency room, ”he said.

Michael Benjamin of the California Department of Air Resources says smog usually gets worse when hot climates and a lack of rain cause air pollution to build up.

“The mountains surrounding the Bakersfield area tend to trap air pollution, so it doesn’t spread,” Benjamin said.

Meredith Kulpius of the Environmental Protection Agency says it’s because Bakersfield is located at the southern tip of the San Joaquin Valley Basin. This trend indicates that the air quality is deteriorating.

“Bakersfield is arguably the highest level of air pollution for certain pollutants in the country,” Krupius said.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we inhale particles in the air caused by pollutants such as dust, dirt and smoke. These particles are invisible, but can be harmful.

“This size allows these particles to penetrate deep into the human lungs, allowing smaller particles to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. Therefore, particulate air pollution only affects lung disease. It’s a heart problem, and it can cause heart problems. ”

Ahmed says exposure to smoke can lead to long-term health problems.

“Gas is what we are talking about carbon monoxide. The fact that they are harmful and last longer can be a potentially fatal problem. In the long run, cancer is a hydrocarbon. Because of this, they inhale hydrocarbons, which can stay inside and long-term effects can cause malignant tumors, which has been reported, ”Ahmed said.

Benjamin said, “I’m really worried about anyone who works outdoors or in an outdoor profession like construction and ends up hanging out in the smoky air for weeks on end. “.

Experts are advising residents of Kern County to stay indoors.

“The only real prevention mechanism you can trust right now is the mask,” Benjamin said.

“The best masks at the moment are called N-95 or P-100. These are special masks that protect you better, ”said Ahmed.

According to Benjamin, state and federal agencies are working together to reduce air pollution from other common causes such as cars, trucks and industrial activities.

Kurpius says rain is needed to remove some of the pollutants in the air.

With the resources available in the EPA, airnow.gov can monitor exposure to smoke and other pollutants.