Air Pollution’s Links To Lung Disease Topic

Spokane doctors and leading researchers are planning a public forum on recent studies linking air pollution and lung disease.

The free forum is Saturday, Feb. 24, at the annual meeting of the Spokane Society of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Emil Bardana Jr., professor of medicine at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, will review recent research on the health effects of air pollution.

A panel of community experts will then explore the health impacts of air pollution from field burning, wood stoves, cars, industry and road dust.

Panelists include:

Dr. Alan Whitehouse, a lung specialist at the Physician’s Clinic of Spokane.

Dr. Robert Stier, adjunct professor at Washington State University’s Health Research and Education Center.

Eric Skelton, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority director.

Spokane County Commissioner John Roskelley, active in county efforts to phase out grass field burning.

Dr. Paul Stepak, Spokane County Health District epidemiologist.

Dr. Karen Tuttle, director of research at the Heart Institute, will moderate the panel. It’s scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ag Trade Center.

Information about the forum can be obtained from WSU’s health research center at (509) 358 7630.

, DataTimes