Category: Environmental Health
What’s in wildfire smoke, and why is it so bad for your lungs?
As smoke travels through the air, exposure sun and interactions with other chemicals in the atmosphere can make it more toxic.
Wildfire smoke prompts closure of Seattle parks
Wildfire smoke making air quality “unhealthy” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” is expected to remain in the area through the early next week.
How to keep indoor air clean on smoky days
Children, adults sixty-five and older, pregnant people and people with lung or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable to smoke from wildfires.
As States Prepare for Disasters, They Acknowledge Things Will Get Worse
In Washington state, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is pushing for a bill to establish a dedicated account to help prevent and fight wildfires.
Why is California banning the pesticide chlorpyrifos?
California is ending use of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide associated with neurodevelopmental problems and impaired brain function in children.
Washington health systems form alliance to address climate change
The Washington Health Care Climate Alliance says it will bring its health care’s expertise and experience to help the state develop climate-smart policies.
Air pollution can be as bad as pack a day of cigarettes for your lungs, UW study
“We were surprised to see how strong air pollution’s impact was on the progression of emphysema on lung scans,” said UW’s Dr. Joel Kaufman.
The New West: Smoke In The Sky, A Purifier At Home
Alarmed by dense smoke, shoppers were snapping up portable air purifiers and breathing masks in staggering numbers.
Why testing for lead helps kids…and how you can get free testing
Lead exposure can harm brain growth in children, so it’s important for toddlers and preschoolers to be tested for lead if they have any of the risk factors.
Modern Wildfires Pose New Health Risks For Firefighters
New research underscores the risks that modern wildfires pose to firefighters’ long-term health, including an increased risk of cancer.
Public Health reopens Discovery Park beaches after West Point emergency bypass
These two beaches were closed Friday in an abundance of caution after a West Point sewage bypass into Puget Sound.
Children of women exposed to high level of pollutants during pregnancy may have lower IQs
A new study found that pregnant women exposed to higher levels of air pollutants had children with lower IQs, compared to the children of women exposed to lower levels.
Air pollution linked newborn intensive care admissions
For some types of pollution, chances for admission increased as much as 147%, compared to infants whose mothers did not encounter high levels of air pollution i the week before delivery.
New Heat Wave Threatens Public Health in Cities, States
As a heat wave clamps down on much of the nation, cities are scurrying to provide shelter and assistance to the most vulnerable: the homeless and the elderly.
Climate fears take toll on American’s mental health
At North Seattle Therapy & Counseling in Washington state, they’re seeing patients with anxiety or depression related to climate change and the Earth’s future.