Smoke From California’s Fires Is Harming the State’s Most Vulnerable
“Many of San Francisco’s homeless are already battling health issues that are worsened by poor air quality. People who don’t have a place to live often can’t eat well or take medications regularly. They are more likely to develop skin disorders and diseases of the extremities; they often suffer from untreated mental illness; and they are frequently victims of crimes such as assault. Self-reported rates of lung disease such as asthma are double those of the general population. The air from the fires is one more thing to contend with. ‘The things that are an inconvenience for the rest of us, to say nothing of the devastation for those in the path of the fires, present more danger and uncertainty for our unhoused neighbors,’ said Sherilyn Adams, the executive director of Larkin Street Youth Services. ‘Health issues are already more prevalent for individuals experiencing homelessness, and prolonged exposure to the poor air quality increases health risks, as well as discomfort and, ultimately, a sense of the isolation.’”