Fireworks Can Cause Serious Asthma Attacks In Persons With Chest Disease

ISTANBUL - Prof. Dr. Ahmet Rasim Kucukusta of the Istanbul University Department of Chest Diseases said, ''fireworks cause spread of sulfur dioxide gas in the atmosphere. This gas can lead to serious, sometimes fatal attacks in people with asthma.''
In an interview with the A.A correspondent, Prof. Dr. Kucukusta said, ''people with asthma also suffer from bronchial hyperactivity, a state of heightened sensitivity in their bronchus. Inhalation of perfume, smoke, wax, varnish and air pollution can lead this people's bronchus to severely contract.''
''Sulfur dioxide gas is one of the substances which cause contraction and narrowing of the fragile bronchus of people suffering from asthma. Inhalation of sulfur dioxide can cause serious asthma attacks. Fireworks have become widespread in Turkey in recent years. Although fireworks create a very nice visual image, they can cause extremely serious attacks in people with asthma. Therefore, those people and those suffering from upper respiratory tract infections should avoid places of fireworks,'' he added.
(UK-ULG) 05.07.2004