MISSION FEDERAL MEMORY WALK WEEKEND Saturday, October 27 at Balboa Park or Sunday, October 28 at Cal State University San Marcos HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO AREA FIRES AND THE POOR AIR QUALITY . For more information please visit:

www.sanalz.org

~ HEALTH PRESS CLIPS

Health effects of Wild Fire smoke

....“The effects of smoke run from irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract to more serious disorders, including asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function and premature death. Studies have found that fine particulate matter is linked (alone or with other pollutants) with a number of significant respiratory and cardiovascular-related effects, including increased mortality and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. In addition, airborne particles are respiratory irritants, and laboratory studies show that high concentrations of particulate matter cause persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing and physical discomfort in breathing. Particulate matter can also alter the body’s immune system and affect removal of foreign materials from the lung, like pollen and bacteria.

Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reduces oxygen delivery to the body’s organs and tissues. The health threat from lower levels of CO is most serious for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease. At higher levels, carbon monoxide exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, visual impairment, reduced work capacity, and reduced manual dexterity even in otherwise healthy individuals. At even higher levels (seldom associated solely with a fire), carbon monoxide can be deadly.

People exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations and durations may have an increased chance of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health problems. However, in general, it is believed that the long term risk from toxic air pollutants from forest fire smoke is very low. Some components of smoke, such as many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are carcinogenic. Probably the most carcinogenic is benzo-a-pyrene (BaP), which has been demonstrated to increase in toxicity when mixed with carbon particulate. Other components, such as the aldehydes, are acute irritants. Continued under "Composition of the Smoke"

Influenza Vaccinations Available

County of San Diego -The Flu Shot Hotline, (877) FLU-0202, is now being staffed to give seniors and others information about where to receive a flu shot. Medicare (Part B) will pay for the flu shot as well as a pneumonia vaccine. The influenza season typically occurs between November and May. The flu vaccine is recommended for people age 60 and older, and younger people with chronic medical conditions. Click HERE for flu listings near you!

In Diabetes, a Complex of Causes

New York Times- An explosion of new research is vastly changing scientists’ understanding of diabetes and giving new clues about how to attack it.
The fifth leading killer of Americans, with 73,000 deaths a year, diabetes is a disease in which the body’s failure to regulate glucose, or blood sugar, can lead to serious and even fatal complications.
New research suggests that a hormone from the skeleton, of all places, may influence how the body handles sugar. Mounting evidence also demonstrates that signals from the immune system, the brain and the gut play critical roles in controlling glucose and lipid metabolism.
Scientists have long suspected that inflammation was somehow related to insulin resistance, which precedes nearly all cases of Type 2 diabetes. In the early 1900s, diabetics were sometimes given high doses of aspirin, which is an anti-inflammatory, said Dr. Olefsky of the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. Continued >>

Alzheimer's blood test might be ready soon

Los Angeles Times- Members of an international team of researchers believe they've found a simple blood test for detecting the onset of Alzheimer's disease, long before its victims are robbed of their memory, personality and dignity.
The scientists identified a type of "cellular chatter" that reveals early evidence of the disease, providing a chance to interfere in its progress, according to a study released by the British journal Nature Medicine.
Of the 25 authors of the article, six other contributors work at Stanford. Researchers with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, University of California-San Diego, Oregon Health and Science University, and two European universities also contributed to the study.
Currently, only an autopsy can confirm if a person had Alzheimer's disease, by searching for the unusual plaque build-up in the brains of those with the memory-wasting disease, as well as abnormal "tangles" of protein found inside brain cells.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's include partial or complete memory loss, sometimes violent outbursts, and a retreat of the individual's personality. Continued >>

Pediatric Cold Medicines Being Taken Off Shelves

San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 12 -- Chicken soup, saline nose drops and a vaporizer may sound like Grandma's favorite antidotes. But such back-to-basic remedies are what parents likely will have to use to treat tiny cold sufferers, because drug makers voluntarily pulled many kids' cold medicines off the market yesterday. (Quotes Dr. Howard Taras, a pediatrician with the Community Pediatrics division of the UCSD School of Medicine) Continued >>

County of San Diego Taking The Steps to Recover

Avoid Leaf Blower Usage in Fire Cleanup
Protect Lungs: Don't Blow The Ashes, Wet them Instead

Friday October 26,07-The American Lung Association of California recommends thoroughly wetting dust and soot from the fires instead of using leaf blowers for cleaning up after smoky wildfires. The Lung Association warns that especially vulnerable people should avoid clean-up activities and areas where dust or soot is present, including all children, seniors, anyone with chronic lung or heart diseases or diabetes.
The Lung Association warns that leaf blowers can add to air quality problems by breaking up settled ash and sending it back into the air, while exhaust emissions from the blowers can add to air pollution. Instead of using blowers, the Lung Association agrees with other emergency management agencies that dust and soot should be wetted down prior to cleanup so as to reduce the amount of particles that will become airborne.
The Lung Association recommends wearing an N-95 rated dust mask during clean-up, but warns that those who are more vulnerable should not attempt to wear these masks and should avoid clean-up situations.
Dust masks do not protect against asbestos. If exposure to asbestos or other hazardous materials is suspected, do not disturb the area. Professional assistance is needed to clean up asbestos and other hazardous material.
Helpful cleanup information is available through:
US EPA website www.epa.gov/californiafires/
County of San Diego emergency website - www.sdcountyrecovery.com/index.html.

Ongoing exposure to airborne pollutants is to be avoided, even though skies clear up. Check air quality conditions at:
www.epa.gov/airnow, or
www.aqmd.gov/news1/2007/SouthlandFiresOctober25.html, or
www.sdapcd.org/air/forecasts/otoday.html

In affected areas, the Lung Association urges residents to take precautions to avoid exposure to unhealthy smoke-filled air. Avoid spending time outdoors during the high-pollution days and watch the air quality forecasts to know when it becomes safer to be outdoors.
Indoors, while air purifiers are often helpful, one type is not recommended: the kind of air purifier that generates ozone. Learn more at - http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/06fw_OzoneAirCleaners.html
In Southern California, the American Lung Association has been monitoring fire reports and offering lung health advisories through media interviews and online at http://alacsd.blogspot.com. California wildfire health protection information is available at www.LungUSA.org. .

Federal Resources Are Available Now to Assist Fire Victims

Thursday 25,07-The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is swiftly mobilizing federal resources and assets in coordination with the state of California and other federal agencies. Many federal agencies in coordination with FEMA are aiding in the response to the Southern California wildfires. For know about the key operational activities underway please visit
http://www.fema.gov , for information or to apply by telephone please call 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362) and to Request for Public Assistance, you could apply on line

Food Asistance Available

Thursday 25,07-San Diego County residents directly affected by the wildfires may be eligible for emergency food stamps, county officials said. People can apply for them at county family resource centers and the four local assistance centers set up to help wildfire victims.
The Food Stamps are available on a one-time-only basis if people meet specific requirements, such as losing a home or income because of the fires. Families who currently receive food stamps may be eligible for increased the amount levels if they were affected by the fires.
Applications will be accepted from today Thursday through Saturday. Complete instructions and guidelines are available by calling (866) 262-9881

Elderly Program Ready to Help Fire Victims

Wednesday 24,07-ElderHelp provides personalized services and information to seniors who want to remain living in their own homes. ElderHelp is offering its HomeShare Program services to qualified applicants that have been displaced by the San Diego County wildfires.
ElderHelp of San Diego’s HomeShare Program assists individuals seeking affordable housing by matching them with home providers who have a spare room available in their homes. Although ElderHelp serves primarily seniors 60 and better, people of all ages can be considered for the HomeShare Program. Unfortunately, the HomeShare Program can only assist individuals and not families.
Home Providers usually rent a spare room at a below market rate or provide a rent free room in exchange for household assistance. HomeShare is not a placement service and people interested in participating in the program take responsibility for choosing their housemates.
HomeShare matches are facilitated by trained social workers and the registration process includes thorough screening of all applicants and a background check. Once registration is complete, referrals are provided based on personal needs and preferences of the applicant. Written agreements are facilitated for people who match and ongoing support for the duration of the match is provided by ElderHelp.
The HomeShare Program serves most 921… zip code areas in central San Diego. All home Providers must reside within this service area.
Whether you are a homeowner with a spare room in your home or an individual seeking housing, please contact: Cynthia Hansen, HomeShare Coordinator, ElderHelp of San Diego, 619-284-9281 x16. Or email to chansen@elderhelpofsandiego.org

President Bush's declaration of a "major disaster" Means Federal Asistance to San Diego Fire Victims

Wednesday 24,07-The announcement of San Diego’s staggering losses came as President Bush signed a major disaster declaration for California in the wake of the wildfires that have charred about 426,000 acres, or about 665 square miles.
President Bush's declaration of a "major disaster" in Southern California means the government will provide direct financial assistance to people who have lost property and other possessions in this week's wildfires.
The declaration puts in motion long-term federal recovery programs to help state and local governments, families, individuals and certain nonprofit organizations recover. The assistance varies from direct aid for uninsured losses to help with rebuilding infrastructure.
“Americans all across this land care deeply about them,” the president said after a Cabinet meeting convened to coordinate federal relief efforts. “We’re concerned about their safety. We’re concerned about their property.”
The fierce Santa Ana wind that has stoked the explosive blazes had started to moderate Wednesday although stiff gusts continued to blow through some canyon areas. Forecasters said the wind eventually would be followed by cooling sea breezes bringing "healthier system".

Be Inform! Be prepared and ready with the latest news on tv, radio and on line

Wednesday 24,07- Knowing how to respond to any disaster that could occur in your area will help keep your family protected from all types of hazards. The county is posting fire updates at www.sdcountyemergency.com. Please visit County of San Diego "Community Preparedness".San Diego Community Access 619-570-1070 with information in English and Spanish.

San Diego County Maps, weather, evacuation, road closures information and shelter information, and medical services, all in one source on tv channel 8, on radio 760AM and 100.7 FM and on line: www.cbs8.com/
For quick posting for the urgent messages please use San Diego Union "Help Blogs" on http://helpsandiego.blogspot.com/

DA Issues Strong Warning Against Looting at Evacuated Neighborhoods in San Diego County

Tuesday 23,07-San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis today warned that would-be looters looking to profit in the wake of San Diego County’s devastating wildfires will be vigorously prosecuted by her office.
..“The fires have victimized residents in our county once. We will not allow them to be victimized a second time by criminals without a conscience,” said DA Dumanis. “Local law enforcement and National Guard troops have been doing an excellent job of securing the evacuated neighborhoods across the county to reduce the incidence of looting.”
..During a state of emergency, looting is second-degree burglary, which is a felony crime punishable by up to three years in state prison.
..The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has reported a handful of looting incidents and the arrest of two looting suspects in Ramona.

Good News: "All Chula Vista Earlier evacuations are lifted"

Tuesday 23,07- Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox announced good news for Chula Vista: "The city of Chula Vista has lifted all evacuation notices within the city, officials said. Residents who evacuated are allowed to return to their homes". "Earlier, Rolling Hills Ranch residents were evacuated from an area south of the Auld Golf Course and north of Proctor Valley Road. But now fire officials report the immediate threat has been averted " "Winds moves to the west, pushing remnants of the Harris fire away from the city and the community of Bonita.These weather conditions, and the water drops by helicopters, backfires and a shift in wind direction have markedly improved the Harris fire situation in Chula Vista, Mayor said." " We have good support from the residents of Chula Vista and now the firefigthers and the helicopters have been gone to assist Spring Valley"
..About 440 evacuees have found shelter at the Chula Vista Community Youth Center on the campus of Chula Vista High School. The shelter will still be open until Thursday. Chula Vista residents who want updates on the current fire situation can call (619) 397-6399 to hear recorded messages.

"Solana Beach and Del Mar are lifted "

Solana Beach has lifted all evacuation notices within the city, officials said. Residents who evacuated are allowed to return to their homes.The city recommended that residents remain prepared to evacuate should the situation change.

County of San Diego News Conference

County of San Diego Emergency Office , Monday 22,07 - At 4 p.m., in a news conference, San Diego County officials said thousands of residents living in the paths of the wildfires need to be ready to evacuate their homes.
..Supervisor Ron Roberts advice for the people to call 511 for Road information and for non-emergency information call 211. "We are trying hard to save people from injuries and we need their cooperate" "If we ask you to leave , LEAVE please"
.."People need to stay away from the roads, if they don't need to evacuate, they have to remain in calm at home, but be prepared to leave inmediately if is the evacuate advice"
Once residents have been given notice to evacuate, they will not be allowed back in the area until further notice.
..An evacuation center has been set up at Chula Vista High School, 820 Fourth Ave. Parking is available at the Chula Vista Community Youth Center, on the south side of the school campus.
..County fire officials said " the Harris fire is pushing to Otay Mesa and Otay Lakes but if the weather conditions continue the same it will be contained by tomorrow"

Advisory to people with chronic lung or heart conditions

...Monday Oct. 22,07- If you have respiratory problems (including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and lung cancer) or a heart ailment, extra precautions are necessary in light of blowing smoke from wildfires. Your lungs are more likely to be sensitive to low doses of certain chemical or pollutants. Anticipate a flare up of your condition, and be sure to have a sufficient supply of medications on hand. Stay inside your home and remain calm. Try not to... Continued

The Governor Calls in the State National Guard to Address San Diego Fires

.Monday 22,07 - At 3:24 p.m., Joined by City and County leaders, the Governor held a Press Conference in San Diego to address the growing threat of Wildfires affecting parts of San Diego County and Southern California.
..Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed the California National Guard to assign 1,500 guardsmen to the firefighting efforts. The 1,500 guardsmen, including 200 troops currently patrolling the California/Mexico border, will be deployed at the direction of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services to areas where they can have the greatest impact.
"It is a tragic time for California. I saw the tremendous devastation caused by these fires first hand today and I want to commend all of the brave firefighters that have been battling the blazes around our state. They have done an extraordinary job," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "We have the best-trained, the best-equipped and the most experienced firefighters in the world and I am committed to making all of the state's resources available to them to get these fires under control. That is why I have declared a state of emergency and directed the National Guard to support the firefighters in Southern California.
.."I urge everyone to follow the directions and evacuation orders issued by the emergency personnel." For the report from the State of California please visit www.gov.ca.gov., and for Spanish

District Attorney Investigators Deployed as Law Enforcement Support for County Wildfires

.Monday Oct. 22,07- San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced today that investigators from her office have been deployed to assist in providing law enforcement at the county’s wildfires as part of the Countywide Law Enforcement Mutual Aid.
..“Our investigators are sworn law enforcement personnel who have all been previously employed as police officers, sheriff’s deputies or as federal agents,” DA Dumanis said. “We remain ready to help out our community any way we can.”
..The District Attorney’s Office has more than 125 investigators as part of its Bureau of Investigation who are available to participate in the mutual aid. They are reporting to the staging areas at the Vista Courthouse or Grossmont College to be dispatched by the incident commanders. Their duties include providing law enforcement to prevent looting in evacuated areas, supplemental patrol, traffic control, and security posts, among other assignments.
..The DA investigators are carrying firearms, dressed in khaki pants with black polo shirts with “Police” printed in reflective lettering. They drive unmarked cars with emergency lighting and have their County identification cards displayed prominently.
DA Investigators were also deployed during the Cedar fires in San Diego County in October 2003.For this infomation in Spanish

Pomerado Hospital is Evacuated

.Monday Oct-22-07- A description for the Hospital Pomerado Evacuation By Arthur Salm- POWAY – 11:26 a.m. - Fire and smoke crested the hills immediately east of Villa Pomerado here at 11 a.m. today, and mechanic and service workers for the hospital complex were manning hoses the defend the facility.
..All workers were being told at 11:15 to evacuate Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado at 15600 block of Pomerado Road. Fire appeared to be coming over the hills from the east. Mechanics had gone to fire extinguisher boxes on the roof of the parking structure to pull hoses and fighting equipment. Smoke was thick.
..No fire trucks could be seen in the area of the hospital complex.
Meanwhile, a long line of Villa Pomerado patients in wheelchairs were quickly being moved onto school buses lined up to evacuate patients from the nursing facility. More than 120 patients from Pomerado Hospital were evacuated earlier this morning and 75 patients from the adjoining Villa Pomerado were now being taken to other sites.
Each Villa Pomerado patient was holding a large ziplock bag carrying confidential patient information and transfer documents as they were being loaded onto the buses.

SHARP Hospital Recommendations on The importance of fire safety:

.Monday Oct. 22,07- Thousands of people annually suffer injuries in home fires in the US. The majority of fire-related deaths (70 percent) are caused by smoke inhalation of the toxic gases produced by fires. Fires and burns are the fifth-leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children ages 14 and under.
The Fire safety recommendations also contains information for: Preventing fires and burns,The family escape plan and Preventing burns.

A Cloud of Ashes Advance Over San Diego

.Sunday Oct 21,07- Smoke rolls into town, blanketing the county, turning on street lights, creating an eerie and choking fog. Switch boards light up as people look for answers. Citizens want to know what they should do to protect themselves. Schools want to know if practices should be cancelled. The media wants to know how dangerous the smoke really is.

To provide the accurate information is the result of a collaborative effort that brought together scientists, air quality specialists and public health professionals from national, state and local agencies. Continued

Salud+HealthInfo is for information and educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned abut your health or that of a child, please consult your family's physician or health provider immediately and do not try to diagnose yourself. Salud+Health Info is published and distributed free of charge by Info Option Network (ION) Publishing Company. Copyright © 2001-2006 Info Option Network

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