Wildfire smoke in BC: Health effects, preparation, and response

Episodes of extremely poor air quality related to forest wildfires are occurring more and more often across the province. This presentation covers the health effects that are associated with exposure to wildfire smoke, as well as some of the ways that individuals and communities can prepare for the wildfire season, and respond when smoke is present. Kathleen McLean is an Environmental Health Scientist with over ten years of experience in environmental health research and surveillance. She has worked for the last 5 years in Environmental Health Services at the BC Centre for Disease Control exploring how environmental exposures including wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and industrial air pollution affect population health in BC. Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering and a Master’s degree in Public Health.