L.A. Wildfires: Cedars-Sinai Lung Specialists Available for Interviews

Updated Jan. 8, 2025 at 2 p.m. PST 

The catastrophic wildfires raging throughout Los Angeles County present special concerns for adults and children with respiratory illnesses. Irina Dralyuk, MD, a Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s pulmonologist and Isabel F. Pedraza, MD, a pulmonologist in the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, are available for interviews to discuss topics such as how smoke can damage lungs, how to recognize respiratory distress and how to keep your children and family members safe.

“Parents of children with a history of lung issues need to be especially cautious,” said Dralyuk, MD. “That means premature infants, children with asthma, cystic fibrosis and severe allergies as well as children with weak or compromised immune systems.”

Dralyuk adds that parents should track the air quality measurement on their smart phones and whenever the air quality measurement is 125 or above, they should keep their children inside. Wednesday morning’s air quality measurement was above 400.

“If parents notice their children struggling with a persistent cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately,” Dralyuk said.

Dralyuk and Pedraza also can discuss prevention tips, including:

• Using air purifiers and humidifiers
• Keeping windows and doors closed
• Wearing air filtration masks—not the simple anti-COVID-19 masks
• Checking asthma medications to make sure they have not expired
• Washing hands frequently

To arrange an interview, contact:
Soshea Leibler | 213-215-8000 | [email protected]
Cara Martinez | 310-423-7798 | [email protected]

For the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom team's complete coverage of the Los Angeles County wildfires, please click here.