Toronto, June 9, 2005 - Protect yourself from the dangers of smog, warned the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) today on behalf of Ontario's 24,000 doctors. Physicians are asking people to understand the impact smog can have on their health and to take appropriate measures to stay healthy during smog alerts.
"Very few things are as important to health as breathing clean air, but our breathing is being increasingly threatened by smog," said Dr. Greg Flynn, President of the OMA. "Physicians treat patients every day suffering smog related illnesses, so we're urging people to take preventative measures."
Here are a few quick tips on how to avoid the dangers of smog during an alert:
"Children and the elderly are the most sensitive to smog related illnesses, but anyone can become ill if they don't take appropriate precautions during smoggy weather," said Dr. Ted Boadway, OMA Executive Director of Health Policy. "We don't want people to alter their lives dramatically during a smog alert, but listen to what your body is telling you and adjust your physical activity accordingly."
We know that children, adults and seniors are all vulnerable to the dangers
of smog, but there are myths about smog that need to be dispelled. Please see
the OMA Smog Myths & Health Realities
fact sheet to find out more about smog.
For more information please contact Patrick Nelson or Nadia Daniell, OMA Media
Relations, (416) 340-2862 or toll free,1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862