'Harmful effects'

By Don H. Gaede, M.D.
Fresno

(Updated Monday, December 30, 2002, 4:27 PM)

What can we do about air pollution? We need to get people to realize that our Valley is like a very big room with the doors and windows shut.

Whatever we put into our air, we will have to breathe. We inhale what we expel.

I am going to try to persuade my patients that air pollution is probably hurting their health, and that we all need to become part of the solution. Doctors may be able to prevent heart attacks by prescribing cholesterol medicine, and help asthma by giving asthma inhalers, but we can't do anything to stop the harmful effects of ozone and microparticles on the body.

This year I traded in my Dodge Grand Caravan for a hybrid Toyota Prius and installed a gas insert into my fireplace. The car trade was not actually a sacrifice, since the Prius has such a quiet smooth ride, and the fireplace is a lot easier to manage without messing with all that wood.

It's obvious to me that taking steps now to reduce air pollution will be a lot easier and more enjoyable than having to live with the consequences of doing nothing.