Did you know that 1% of the world’s population endures exposure to polluted air that surpasses World Health Organisation standards? Air quality in some places has improved dramatically as a result of pollution-reduction strategies. However, elsewhere, air quality advances are at risk of being reversed. According to a climate non-profit First Street Foundation survey, more than 25% of the US population is exposed to air that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers “unhealthy”. By 2050, the number of individuals exposed to “unhealthy” days will have increased by more than 50%. The worst days of air pollution are predicted to increase by 27 per cent. Wildfire smoke is one of the reasons for this trend.

One study of PM2.5 from wildfire smoke revealed that levels had grown by up to five microgrammes per cubic metre in the western US in the preceding decade, enough to undo “decades of policy-driven improvements in overall air quality.” In this blog, I will discuss how wildfire smoke affects us.

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Us?

One of the many contaminants in wildfire smoke is particle pollution, a mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air. How small? Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no more than one-third the diameter of your hair. These particles are so minute that they penetrate and lodge deep into the lungs. Particle pollution causes asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes—and it can kill.

Children who breathed in smoky air during wildfires have had greater coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and colds and were more likely to go to the doctor or the hospital for respiratory reasons, particularly asthma.

Another danger posed by forest fire smoke is carbon monoxide (CO). This colourless, odourless gas is most abundant during the smouldering stages of a fire. Inhaling CO lowers oxygen supply to the body’s organs and tissues, which can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and, at large doses, premature death. Wildfires disseminate damaging emissions, including nitrogen oxides and other dangerous air pollutants.

How Will You Protect Yourself From Smoke?

• Use a Portable Air Cleaner

When used correctly, portable air cleaners with HEPA filters can drastically lower indoor PM 2.5 concentrations. Smaller units can maintain one room relatively clean and provide a place to seek relief when necessary. A high-quality furnace filter taped to a box fan will also work well in a small area, but do-it-yourself devices should always be supervised.

• Rest Easy

The more forcefully you breathe, the more smoke you ingest. The normal resting adult breaths roughly six litres per minute, which can quickly rise to 60 litres during strenuous exertion. Taking it easy is one of the simplest methods to reduce your exposure.

• Listen to Your Body

People’s tolerance of smoke varies. If you feel poorly, listen to your body and take steps to limit your exposure. The typical symptoms are eye irritation, sore throat, cough, and headache, which usually disappear after the smoke clears. Anyone experiencing more severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing or heart palpitations, should seek medical treatment. Smoke is an environmental problem that must be recognised, not a personal hurdle to overcome.

• Understand Your Susceptibility

Some persons are more susceptible to the health impacts of smoking, particularly those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, other chronic diseases, or acute infections. Pregnant women, newborns, young children, older adults, and those who work or live outside are all more vulnerable. Anyone who uses rescue drugs should keep those with them at all times.

• Consider Using a Protective Mask

One positive lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we have learned new information regarding face masks. Although a well-fitting N95 respirator is usually the best option for wildfire smoke, a new study indicates that alternative masks can provide adequate protection from PM 2.5 provided they are tightly placed around the face. Masks with many layers of different materials were the most effective at filtering fine particles.

• Seek Out Safe Locations in the Community

Public places like libraries, community centres, and retail malls frequently feature extensive air filtering systems and reasonably good indoor air quality.

Necessary Supplies for Protection

Here’s a list of supplies for protecting yourself from smoke, along with their uses and benefits:

In conclusion, wildfire smoke has serious health and environmental consequences. It contains dangerous pollutants such as tiny particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause respiratory problems, worsen heart and lung illness, and degrade air quality. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing diseases are especially vulnerable. In addition, wildfire smoke can reduce vision, impede daily activities, and contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As wildfires become more common and intense as a result of climate change, understanding and mitigating the consequences of wildfire smoke becomes more critical for public health and safety.

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