The Air We Breathe

Smoke, Allergies, Our Bodies & Minds

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Climate change means wildfires are more frequent and destructive. Global warming and drought make the organic material that ignites forest fires hotter and drier. Dry weather also increases the pests and insects that weaken and kill trees, adding to the tinderbox. The smoke and carbon released into the atmosphere from the fires further increases Earth’s temperature.

Asthmatics, elderly, pregnant women, people with heart and lung conditions, and children are most affected. Children’s lungs are still developing, and because they are smaller, they breathe in more air per unit of body weight. Air that is denser with toxic particulate affects children faster than it affects most adults.

The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. Inhaled smoke robs your body of oxygen, and symptoms might not show up until 24-48 hours after exposure. Smoke can contain carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, hydrocarbons, and trace minerals that affect heart and brain function as well as your lungs. It is important to protect yourself from toxic or prolonged exposure that causes lung inflammation.

Wood smoke is dangerous because of Fine Particulate Matter. FPM is inhalable pollutant particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers that can enter the bloodstream, reaching all organs, with the most severe effects on the lungs and heart. Fine particulate gets into the lungs and causes inflammation. Exposure can result in coughing, difficulty breathing, aggravated asthma, and the development of chronic respiratory disease. The PM2.5 particles are not visible and there is no known safe level of exposure for some of them, meaning that smoke might affect your health even at very low levels.

There is a significant increase in death associated with smoky days, an increase in medical inhaler use, physician visits, ER visits, and hospitalizations. Wildfire smoke increases the risk of lung and brain cancers.

Smog from smokestacks and tailpipes is more likely to form dangerous ozone in hot temperatures. Nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion also occur in hotter, dryer weather. Dust storms result when dry soil fills the air with dangerous lung particulate irritants. Particle pollution includes soot particles, organic compounds, inorganic salts, wind-blown dust or coal ash. Wildfires are now a common source of very high particle levels in areas hundreds of miles from the active fires.

Allergies are increasing across the globe because higher CO2 levels increase plant growth - specifically weeds, the type with high pollen counts. Allergy seasons are earlier and longer with our warming climate. Higher CO2 levels also contribute to increased fungal spores, with increasing rainfall and floods magnifying the risk of molds.

Extreme heat and extreme cold are triggers for asthma attacks. Keeping extra inhaler medications on hand can be beneficial. Using antihistamines for high pollen count days is recommended. Please refer to the additional cautions, advice and helpful resources to reduce your health risks from air pollution.

QUICK TIPS for Smoky Days:

  • WATCH air quality warnings (Plume Labs, Air Visual and other phone Apps, Canada Air Quality Index).
  • If possible, stay inside and close your windows.
  • Do not burn candles, light a fire, or smoke indoors. These increase indoor pollution.
  • Do not vacuum. This increases circulation of fine particles that may have come in through windows or doors.
  • Wear an N95 mask outdoors. Fitted correctly, this mask blocks out 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns and effectively keep out 2.5-micron particles from wildfire smoke.
  • Indoors, run air-conditioning if it has a good HVAC filter. An air purifier can help.

Air Quality Health Risks

Don’t Be A Fire Starter

Air Quality Apps

Fire Maps And Trackers