Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, but their increasing frequency and intensity, driven by climate change, pose a significant threat to public health. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of pollutants that travel and can affect not only local residents but communities far from the fire itself.
What is Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire smoke is a form of air pollution that can affect your health. It is a complex mixture of gases, particles and water vapor that contains pollutants such as: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and fine particulate matter called PM2.5
Why is Wildfire Smoke Harmful?
Wildfire smoke particles are small enough to enter our lungs and bloodstream. Exposure to wildfire smoke irritates the lungs, causes inflammation, and alters immune function.
How Does Wildfire Smoke Harm Your Body?
Wildfire smoke can affect multiple organ systems, but it primarily irritates your respiratory system, enters your lungs and effects your breathing. Particulate matter enters your blood stream, makes it harder to get oxygen into your blood, causes inflammation and affects your immune system.
Symptoms of Wildfire Smoke Exposure:
• Respiratory: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, sore throat, runny nose, sinus irritation.
• Cardiovascular: Chest pain or tightness, rapid heartbeat, palpitations.
• Neurological: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating.
• Eye: Burning, itching, tearing, blurred vision.
• Other: Skin irritation, nausea, vomiting.
Some people may experience no symptoms at all, even though they are still being affected by the smoke; making it important for everyone to take precautions.
Who Needs to Be Concerned About Wildfire Smoke Exposure?
While wildfire smoke can affect anyone,certain populations are particularly vulnerable:
• Individuals with Pre-existing Respiratory Conditions: People with asthma, COPD, emphysema, or other lung diseases are at increased risk of experiencing severe respiratory problems from wildfire smoke exposure.
• Individuals with Cardiovascular Disease: Those with heart disease are more susceptible to cardiovascular events triggered by wildfire smoke.
• Children: Children's lungs are still developing, and they breathe at a faster rate than adults, making them more vulnerable to the effects of inhaled smoke.
• Older Adults: Older adults often have pre-existing health conditions and decreased lung function, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
• Pregnant Women: Pregnant women should take extra caution during poor air quality events to avoid exposure to wildfire smoke as there may be adverse effects from wildfire smoke on both the mother and the developing fetus.
• Outdoor Workers: Individuals who work outdoors are at increased risk of prolonged and repeated exposure to wildfire smoke.
How to Prevent Wildfire Smoke Exposure:
Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke requires a multi-pronged approach:
• Stay Informed: Monitor air quality reports and wildfire updates from reliable sources like government agencies and local news. Pay attention to Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) ratings.
• Seek Clean Air: The best way to protect yourself is to stay indoors in a well-ventilated space with filtered air. Use air conditioners and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove PM2.5 from indoor air.
• Reduce Physical Activity: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during periods of poor air quality. Even moderate exercise can increase your inhalation of harmful pollutants.
• Wear a Respirator: Respirators may be required if you work in areas with moderate to high levels of wildfire smoke. N95 respirators, when properly fitted and worn, can filter out PM2.5. However, they do not filter out gases.
• Protect Your Vehicle: Keep the windows closed and set the ventilation system to recirculate if you are driving through an area with wildfire smoke.
• Follow Public Health Recommendations: Adhere to recommendations issued by public health officials regarding air quality, evacuations, and shelter-in-place orders.
• Consult Your Doctor: If you have pre-existing health conditions, consult your doctor about developing a plan to manage your health during wildfire smoke events.
The health effects from wildfire smoke will improve for most people as the air quality improves. There is currently little evidence available on the long-lasting effects of wildfire smoke exposure on human health. Caution is encouraged in the absence of scientific evidence.
