what are the health risks children older adults and people with heart or lung diseases are more likely to be affected by air pollution crediteric thayer for the new york timesnov 17 2018the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of california brought with them plumes of smoke shrouding some communities in a soupy black fogair pollution like that is full of tiny particles that can cause health problems ranging from temporary discomfort to longterm heart and lung diseasesif you live in one of the worstaffected areas and cannot get away here are some ways to minimize the harmful effects of the smokeread the timess report on the dangerous effects of the wildfire smoke on californias air quality what are the health riskschildren older adults and people with heart or lung diseases are more likely to be affected by air pollution people should also take extra care if they have had a past health issue such as childhood asthma because a reocurrence is possible in some casestheres a lot of particulate matter that becomes airborne from the fires said dr jacqueline m moline vice president of occupational medicine epidemiology and prevention at northwell health in manhasset ny thats what causes the pollution and so many of the symptoms people have begun to have burning of the throat burning of the eyes nasal congestion and irritationscientists and doctors are still studying the longterm health effects of large wildfires but a growing body of research shows that inhalation of minuscule particles from wood fires can nestle in the folds of lung tissue and harm the immune system possibly by priming it to overreact to irritants in the futureair pollution can also exacerbate heart problems and even hasten a heart attack said dr len horovitz an internist and pulmonologist at lenox hill hospital in manhattanthe heart and the lungs are intertwined so any problems with the lungs will tax the heart he said he added that particles inhaled in the lungs can also get into the bloodstream and cause widespread inflammationreduce your exposureif it is smoky outside avoid outdoor exercise or other strenuous activities stay indoors as much as possible and keep the doors and windows closedtry not to introduce extra chemicals such as aerosol cleaning products into your living space keep your eyes refreshed with plain saline dropsif you are using an airconditioner make sure it is recirculating rather than drawing polluted air from the outside dr moline saidconsider getting an air purifierif you can invest in an air purifier which helps to clear particles of pollution in your home here is an indepth review of hepa high efficiency particulate arrestance air purifiers for wirecutter a new york times companymany of the purifiers available in stores only have the power to clean the air in a single room so it might be best placed in the bedroom of someone who is at greater risk like a child an older adult or a person with asthma said john capitman the executive director of the