Pulmonary Society recommends declaring respiratory health emergency due to environmental pollution

Faced with high levels of environmental pollution caused by forest fires, the Bolivian Pulmonary Society issued a statement on Wednesday recommending the possible declaration of a respiratory health emergency.

The organization is concerned about the real risks to the health of city dwellers affected by smog, as it is potentially dangerous in the short, medium and long term.

A statement read: “As it causes environmental contamination, we ask that this situation be treated as a respiratory health emergency and that these chaqueos be treated as an attack on public health and that those responsible be prosecuted in accordance with current national legislation. punish.”

Another point suggests that, fundamentally, it should be restarted in sensitive people with conditions such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and in any patient with any chronic bronchopulmonary disease, including lung cancer and recent or advanced cancers. Chinstrap or mask. Infected with COVID-19.

The Bolivian Pulmonary Society recommends that people stay at home as much as possible and avoid opening doors and windows.

Another recommendation is mainly for citizens not to stay in open spaces such as terraces and balconies for long periods of time. This situation is fundamentally targeted at susceptible groups, the elderly, children and teenagers.

“Avoid outdoor sporting or recreational activities while pollution levels remain high,” one advisory said.

For patients with risk factors, the Bolivian Society of Pulmonology requires “rigorous” treatment of their underlying pathology and/or seeking urgent medical attention in the event of a respiratory distress crisis.

Over the past few hours, the Ministry of Health recommended that school activities be conducted virtually until air quality index (AQI) values ​​improve in areas affected by smog. //agc