September 2, 2022, 12:57 PM
September 2, 2022, 12:57 PM
The forest fires have caused the quality of the air that is breathed in the Santa Cruz capital to go from fair to bad range in a single day. the specialistsThey warn that this can trigger allergies and respiratory problems, mainly in children and vulnerable people.
The Municipal Mayor’s Office reported this Thursday that the Air Quality Index (ICA) rose to 146, that is, it jumped to bad range. Diego Rojas, head of the Department of Water and Atmospheric Pollution of the commune, reported that air quality has been deteriorating since Wednesday, when an ICA of 81 was reached, in the regular range.
He explained that, if in the measurement the ICA is between 0 and 50 the air is good, and if it goes from 51 to 100, it’s fair. Of 101 to 150 is bad and 151 to 300 is very bad.
The report on air quality warns that, when the air is bad, the most sensitive people, who belong to risk groups, can experiencing negative health effects, such as allergies and respiratory conditions. In this sense, it is recommended to limit prolonged exposure in open spaces.
Doctor Roberto Quezada stated that children, older adults and those with underlying diseases are the first to have negative reactions to their health due to poor air quality. “Many experience allergies, whiche are manifested through persistent cough, sneezing and nasal congestion. There are also those who are more prone to eye irritation and even cardiorespiratory problems, ”he warned.
The doctor recalled that in 2019, when the fire hit Chiquitania like never before, there was an outbreak of conjunctivitis in the city due to contamination. “When the air gets bad it is recommended to avoid outdoor physical activities, wearing a mask, and closing doors and windows to prevent polluted air from entering the home,” Quezada said.
He added that, if the air quality is poor, the “most advisable thing is to use the chinstrap permanently. so as not to inhale the particles that remain suspended in the environment”, pointed out the doctor.
The doctor Juan Carlos Paniagua recommended to the people who suffer allergy, pulmonary sequelae covid-19 and other respiratory problems, avoid exposure in open environments, hydrate adequately and limit physical activity.
Meanwhile, the pediatric infectologist Carlos Paz indicated that breathe an air contaminated is counterproductive for children and for adults with chronic illnesses.
He pointed out that in the consultation he has noticed that the casses of bronchitis, asthma and other problems respiratory. He recommended the use of the chinstrap to prevent microparticles from entering the respiratory system.
The Government reported this Thursday that there were 17 fires active foresters in Santa Cruz.
