If you live in the Valley your next breath of air could send you to the hospital. A new study shows bad air quality is worse for a person’s health than previous studies suggest.
If you have a weak immune system, bronchitis or asthma, air experts say the study is aimed at you.
A Valley warning, take in the scenery but don’t take in too much air; your next breath could land you in the emergency room. “When it’s seemingly clear, it's the particulate matter that's dangerous and it’s elevated,” says John Chapitman of the Fresno State Central Valley Health Policy Institute.
The invisible hazards are sending more people to the emergency room. “We've had patients come in many times saying I couldn't wait in the ER anymore; I am really sick and I've been waiting there 25 or 30 hours,” says Kevin Hamilton of Clinicia Seirra Vista. Hamilton says the emergency rooms can’t handle all of the extra cases; it’s seeing an additional 1,500 cases a year due to elevated irritants. “It’s putting a high cost on a system that's over stretched and overburdened with low insurance reimbursements and high costs,” Hamilton added.
The study followed asthma and bronchitis patients who used the ER for treatment. Experts say the most alarming discovery is irritants don’t have to be high to harm your health.
Most living in the Valley recognize the green, yellow and red levels showing air quality levels for the day. On the red days many use caution and stay indoors, but experts say now people might want to do the same on moderate or yellow days. “Even on moderately bad days there is risk for other health conditions,” says Sarah Sharpe of the Fresno Metro Ministry.
The institute says bad air has the worst effect on children. It’s enough for even the most committed air experts to think about moving. “It’s all very concerning. I'm committed to staying here but I can’t say if my children developed asthma and had a lot of ER visits, I wouldn't reconsider,” says Sharpe.
The study covered urban areas from Bakersfield to Modesto. It cost around $70,000; it was paid for by the District and the California Wellness Foundation.
The Central Valley Health Policy Institute is working on follow-up studies. It hopes to nail down specific irritants in the air. It will give the air quality board a better idea of where to place harsher regulations.
TXT 24
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