Doctors warn poor air quality could return, impact metro

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Air quality in Metro Atlanta greatly improved Wednesday. While it’s well below unhealthy levels for now, doctors warn that another wind shift could cause poor air quality to return.

“I’ve been used to it all my life,” 10-year-old Alex Dignan told Channel 2’s Katie Walls about his asthma. He comes to Atlanta Allergy and Asthma in Douglasville weekly for his allergy shots, but with recent air-quality issues caused by smoke, he’s having his lungs checked out this visit, too.

Dr. Erinn Gardner says she’s seen an increase in patient calls at both the Douglasville and Canton practices.

“Definitely with fires in the area, we’re hearing more from patients who suffer from asthma,” she says.

She explained that the effects of wildfire smoke are similar to those of second-hand cigarette smoke on asthmatic lungs.

“We’re seeing a thickening of the airways, but the airways can also spasm, so that can lead to shortness of breath and wheezing for our patients who suffer from asthma," Gardner said.

Gardner has also seen an uptick in calls from those who don’t suffer from asthma, but are dealing with scratchy throats, runny noses and itchy eyes. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, the best thing you can do is stay indoors.

Gwinnett, Cobb, Hall and Cherokee County schools told Channel 2 Action News that they’re asking individual principals to monitor the air quality and pull kids indoors for practice, recess and physical education at their discretion.

Cox Media Group