Burning Metal Inhalation

I work near the Trade Center Disaster site. As has been reported in the press, several fires (mainly metal beams) continue to burn at the disaster site. The air both inside and out side, often has an acrid aroma and there is usually a dull haze, where none existed prior to Sept. 11th.  I have asthma, should I be concerned about what I'm breathing? What precautions can I take to protect my respirtory system?

[National Jewish]

Many of the combustion products and particulate from the World Trade Center collapse can be irritating to the airways of asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Studies have shown that many of the agents previously thought to be simply irritating to the airways may be capable of inducing airway inflammation albeit different from the pattern of inflammation caused by allergens. As such someone with underlying asthma is likely to experience exacerbations of their disease with such exposures however if the exposure is not persistent the effects should wear off after removal and or increased anti-inflammatory treatment. Ideally a person with asthma should avoid exposure to these materials as much as possible and if their asthma is not so severe as to preclude them from using a respirator then that would be an option. It should have a HEPA filter plus filters for organic and chemical vapors. Alternatively if the resistance from these various canisters demands too much work of breathing for an asthmatic then a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) that provides positive pressure supplied air through a shielded hood would be appropriate. Increased anti-inflammatory medication such as inhaled steroids during this time of increased exposures are likely to reduce the number of symptoms and exacerbations. Use of a long acting inhaled bronchodilator such as Serevent