For the second day in a row, smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing hazy conditions in Kentucky – and that haze poses a threat to some vulnerable populations. Dr. Elizabeth Hawse is a Lexington pediatrician. She said she tells patients – and their parents – that on days like these, being outside is like smoking – without the nicotine.
“There's a lot of particulate matter in the air, and it's getting in your lungs, you know, your nose is there to filter it. But there's only so much it can filter. And so now we're at above the level of what really, your body can filter.”
Hawse said she asks parents to limit their child’s time outdoors on days like today, especially those with asthma or pulmonary problems.
“I had a patient come in yesterday, they weren't sick. They were coming in just for a well visit, but he has asthma. And he asked me he's like, can you give me a mask for when I go back outside because I can tell my asthma is bothering me.”
Hawse said the unrequested Canadian import contains not just smoke from burning wood, but also plastics and other particulates that pose a threat.
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