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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California's Monthly e-Newsletter
October 30, 2003 Number 105
http://www.californialung.org

FIRES RAGING IN SOUTH FILL SKIES WITH UNHEALTHY SMOKE

The American Lung Association is working to educate the public about protecting themselves from the unhealthy smoke in Southern California as fires there continue to burn. Henry Gong, MD, a volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association of California, was quoted in the Los Angeles Daily News about the risks of breathing in smoke, even for healthy people.

The thick, dirty smoke overwhelms the natural barriers that protect the lungs, making it hard to breathe. While it can cause chest pain and shortness of breath in otherwise healthy people, the smoke is of particular concern for people with lung or heart disease, who may need to seek medical help. Everyone is encouraged to stay indoors with the windows closed and avoid contact with the smoke. Those who must venture out into the smoke should wear a mask that protects against particulate matter.

Visit http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/fires.html for more information on health precautions and www.airquality.org/smokeimpact for the latest air quality and weather-related information. More details about lung health during natural disasters like fires are also available from the California Thoracic Society at http://www.californialung.org/frames/thoracic.html.

For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser@earthlink.net.

SOLANA PASSES ORDINANCE FOR FIRST SMOKE-FREE BEACH

The city of Solana Beach, north of San Diego, has voted to make its beaches the first in California to be smoke-free. The smoking ban on Solana Beach's 1.4 miles of shoreline was unanimously supported by the five-member City Council when the historic vote was taken October 7. It will take effect November 20. City parks are also included in the ban.

The issue was brought to the city by the Tobacco-Free Communities Coalition. The American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, a coalition member, helped to raise awareness about the issue before the vote.

For information, contact Ross Porter at 619.297.3901 or ross@lungsandiego.org.

VOLUNTEER QUOTED ON AIR TRAVEL AND LUNG DISEASE IN LA TIMES

Henry Gong, MD, volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association of California, was quoted in an October 26 Travel Section article in the Los Angeles Times about lung disease and air travel, which specifically addressed traveling with supplemental oxygen.

The article focused on hypoxia, or insufficient oxygen to the blood and tissues, as the primary concern for those with lung disease. Dr. Gong explained that even those who don't need supplemental oxygen on the ground may need it in flight to prevent hypoxia. These issues can be overcome with proper planning and working with healthcare professionals to prepare for the trip.

The California Thoracic Society and the American Lung Association of California developed a "Safe Flying For People With Lung Disease" brochure to help people plan trips that include air travel. Other related lung health information can be downloaded at http://www.californialung.org/frames/thoracic.html.

The American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties also has a useful guide to help people with lung disease travel. It provides tips for traveling locally and abroad, and includes a referral list of worldwide resources for travel and medical assistance.

For more information, contact Laura Keegan, MPH, at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan@alac.org.

LUNG ASSOCIATION ADVOCATES FOR GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS

The American Lung Association of California supported the state of California's move to join 11 other states in filing a lawsuit against the federal government for refusing to regulate greenhouse gases. American Lung Association of California representatives joined State Attorney General Bill Lockyer at a news conference in Los Angeles to announce the suit. Lockyer said the Bush Administration's failure to limit these gases may make it harder for California to enforce a law passed last year to limit carbon dioxide from SUV and other vehicle emissions.

For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen@alac.org.

STRONGER STATE PLAN ADOPTED FOR SOUTH COAST AIR DISTRICT

The American Lung Association of California testified at a recent California Air Resources Board (CARB) hearing to oppose adoption of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) because there is a huge gap between emissions reductions expected from existing and planned regulatory efforts and the level of reductions necessary to achieve healthful air by the federal Clean Air Act deadline of 2010 in the southern region of the state. The American Lung Association of the Inland Counties and Los Angeles County also testified and urged CARB to adopt stronger SIP measures.

After listening to a large outpouring of concern from health and environmental groups, community activists and representatives of the American Lung Association, CARB adopted a stronger statewide air quality plan with an additional 120 tons per day of emissions reductions statewide. While a gap still remains, the revised plan is much stronger and signals the determination of the state board to move faster toward clean air. In adopting the plan, the state board committed to a long list of new measures to clean up diesel engines, older cars, jet skis, consumer products and other pollution sources that will assist efforts throughout the state to achieve clean air. For details on the SIP, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/sip/stfed03/stfed03.htm.

For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen@alac.org.

COALITION RELEASES REPORT ON ASTHMA IN SONOMA COUNTY

The Sonoma County Asthma Coalition recently released a new report that shows how asthma is impacting Sonoma County. The Asthma Status Report is a compilation of existing data on asthma and the environmental factors that make it worse.

The report includes information on local prevalence rates and hospital charges as well as hospital admissions and emergency room visits. It also looks at environmental triggers such as pollen counts, pesticide use, ozone levels and secondhand smoke.

The Asthma Status Report was released at an October 22 news conference that secured coverage by the local daily newspaper, local news talk radio station and a San Francisco CBS affiliate radio station, as well as the local television news.

The coalition is led by the American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch, and is funded by a grant from The California Endowment. The group is working to secure a countywide plan to reduce the impact of asthma on Sonoma County.

For more information, contact Kate Lorenzen at 707.527.5864 or klorenzen@alac.org.

SACRAMENTO YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD TACKLES IMPORTANT ISSUES

The American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails is kicking off its fifth Youth Advisory Board, which is designed to expand youth involvement. Twelve young people ages 14 through 18 are preparing to tackle important issues over the next year as they begin working in their committees.

The Fundraising Task Force will help Blow the Whistle on Asthma by forming a team and raising funds for the pledge walk. Members of the Youth Leadership Institute will assist in planning sessions to foster leadership skills and to educate their peers on clean air practices and tobacco control issues. Clean Air Agenda members will encourage local policymakers to consider air quality when planning communities. The Earth Day Committee will have a booth at CSU Sacramento's Earth Day event highlighting American Lung Association programs and offering lung health information.

For more information, contact Shelley Mitchell at 916.444.5864 or smitchell@saclung.org.

LOS ANGELES ASSOCIATION RECEIVES CLEAN AIR EDUCATION AWARD

The American Lung Association of Los Angeles County was recently honored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District with the Public Education on Air Quality Issues Award. The association was recognized for its seven-year campaign to raise awareness about air pollution and asthma.

In that time, the association has reached more than 7,500 children and more than 30,000 parents and caregivers with its asthma and air quality public education programs, which include Healthy Homes for Little Lungs, workshops for primary care providers, school-based programs such as Sesame Street A is for Asthma and Open Airways For Schools, and community-based programs like CHAMP Camp.

For more information, contact Ruth Flores at 323.935.5864 or floresr@lalung.org.

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