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Va. (WVIR) – <a href="https://healthylife7.com/canadian-wildfire-smoke-effects-can-last-umb-says/" title="Canadian wildfire smoke effects can last, UMB says”>Canadian wildfire smoke has pushed Charlottesville, Albemarle County and surrounding areas into the “purple zone” — the EPA’s designation for extremely unhealthy air quality — affecting residents with and without pre-existing lung conditions
Michael Nelson, chief of allergy and immunology at UVA, said the conditions pose a risk to everyone
“The air quality today and conditions are extremely rough, even for healthy individuals, but particularly challenging for those with chronic health conditions,” Nelson said
Nelson said those with pre-existing illnesses face compounded effects from the smoke
“Some of the most common things that can occur is exacerbation of cough and shortness of breath and wheezing… now smoke on top of it… they’re really getting double hit,” Nelson said
Kristen Stumpf, an air quality modeler and forecaster with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, said residents should limit outdoor physical activity
“Reduce the, in particular, the outdoor strenuous activities where you’re taking deep, heavy breaths. It’s not going to be a great day to be doing a long run,” Stumpf said
Stumpf said rain and a wind shift expected over the weekend could reduce the amount of smoke in the air
The EPA’s AirNow website offers an interactive map for residents to monitor air quality in their area
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