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12 September 2011 13:47
Smoke rises from a marsh fire in New Orleans
Britons with asthma travelling to eastern New Orleans have been warned about the effects of smoke from a marsh fire following air quality concerns.
The areas is being closely monitored by Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which has declared an "air quality precaution" to handle the situation.
The smoke alert is now covering towns 100 miles from New Orleans as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 - particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - have significantly increased.
This highlights the need for adequate medical travel insurance that covers expenses for pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma while travelling to New Orleans.
DEQ officials have urged people to cancel outdoor activities because of smoke which has spread across the area increasing possible health issues.
Rodney Mallett, from DEQ said: "Air monitors in the New Orleans area have had readings of particulate matter ranging from normal to unhealthy, according to the Air Quality Index scale. These readings vary from location to location because of wind direction."
Mr Mallett said the pollution from smoke is at "orange level", which is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory diseases.
He also said smoke that shrouded the city on Monday was so bad they had to issue a "red level" alert, which is considered unhealthy for everyone.
22 September 2018
The NHS should switch to electric vehicles across its organisations, health officials have advised.
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21 September 2018
UK holidaymakers could be missing out on more than 60 direct flight routes thanks to Air Passenger Duty (APD), a report suggests.
20 September 2018
Living in areas with high levels of air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of dementia, new research suggests.
19 September 2018
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are shelling out tens of thousands of pounds for care - and many are unable to cover the costs, a leading charity has warned.
18 September 2018
As much as £6 of every £10 spent on domestic flights in the UK goes on Air Passenger Duty (APD), new research suggests.
15 September 2018
UK driving licences might become invalid in certain European countries if the UK crashes out of the EU with no deal, the Government has warned.
14 September 2018
Online crowdfunding for cancer treatments is indirectly advancing the rise of alternative "quack" therapies, experts have warned.
13 September 2018
A "wee-stick" like those used in pregnancy testing could be employed to prevent thousands of deaths from ovarian cancer.
11 September 2018
As many as 1.3 million passengers endured severe flight delays in the last year, a new study reveals.
08 September 2018
British Airways customers are cancelling their credit cards after the carrier was hit by a 15-day data breach that compromised the details of around 380,000 people.
06 September 2018
Plastic trays at security desks harbour the highest numbers of viruses at airports, new research has discovered.
05 September 2018
Adults are being urged to take advantage of a new online tool to find out if they are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.