Smoke, dust advisory issued due to wildfire | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Smoke, dust advisory issued due to wildfire | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Updated at 4:43 p.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Smoke, dust advisory issued due to wildfire

Advertiser Staff

The state has issued an advisory due to dense smoke and ash coming from the North Shore wildfire.

The fire also is exposing large acreage of land, which could result in increased levels of dust, a news release from the Health Department said.

The department is advising residents and visitors in affected areas, especially those who suffer from respiratory or chronic breathing problems such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, to take certain precautionary measures or leave the area.

For those affected, the American Lung Association of Hawaii offers these tips:

Do not smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.

Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus and help you cough.

Stay indoors and use an air-conditioner, if possible.

If you have medications, put them in a convenient place. It is important to continue taking your medication.

Medications you need for an acute episode should be readily available. If you don't have any medications, but feel that you might need them, call your physician. Make sure you have clear instructions from your physician as to what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.

A paper, gauze surgical, or nontoxic dust mask may be helpful.

While these suggestions are intended primarily for persons with chronic lung diseases (asthma, bronchitis, emphysema), they are also useful for normally healthy persons.

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