SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Wildfire smoke often brings hazy skies, but it can also bring certain health risks if you’re not careful.
“That matter can very easily invade the lungs. Some of those chemicals and particular matter can actually go through the capillary system and cause inflammatory responses elsewhere throughout the body,” Sanford Health Pulmonary Physician Dr. Paul Berger III said.
Individuals of all ages can be affected. Those with underlying cardiovascular conditions like COPD and asthma are at a higher risk for complications, but symptoms may not appear right away.
“Within the first two to three days of exposure to the pollutants in the air, you might start noticing that you’re having more difficulties breathing, that you’re having that chest tightness, a cough or wheezing,” Dr. Berger said.
Dr. Berger recommends limiting time outside if possible. Several people, like Landon Fisher, were still out on the trails Tuesday morning. Fisher was training for a time trial for the Marines.
“I would probably push through it unless it was like those Chinese smog things where it gets so thick you can’t even see. If there was something that extreme, I’d be a little worried about it, but I just kind of wait and see how it comes in and see just how bad it actually gets,” Landon Fisher said.
