DOCTORS REMIND ONTARIANS - PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SMOG

Ontario Medical Association Updates Smog-Wise Information Program for 2003

June 25, 2003 - Toronto - Ontario's Doctors emphasized the importance of knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones against smog today as the OMA released an updated version of their OMA Smog-Wise Information Program for the summer of 2003.

"There has never been any doubt that smog kills," says OMA President, Dr. Larry Erlick, "Doctors see the adverse effects of smog in our offices and emergency wards every day - we realize the importance of giving people the tools they need to protect themselves."

The OMA Smog-Wise Information Program was launched last summer to provide all Ontarians concerned about their own health with information that they can use to help stay safe when smog levels are high.

The OMA Smog-Wise Information Program web pages provide answers to many smog related questions, such as:

• Is my family safe as long as a Smog Alert hasn't been called?
  
• How do I tell when the smog is dangerous?
  
• What health conditions make one person more vulnerable to smog than another?
  
• Are children more at risk from smog?

"The OMA strongly believes that more must be done to reduce smog pollution, but until we can achieve our clean air goals, being smog-wise should help everyone protect themselves and breathe a little easier," concluded Dr. Erlick.

For more information on the OMA Smog-Wise Information Program, please visit our website at https://www.oma.org/phealth/smogmain.htm.