It’s wildfire season. Here’s how to protect yourself from poor air quality

What do wildfires have to do with air pollution, and how do distant fires cause pollution in the Bay Area?

Topography and weather patterns play a large role in why wildfire smoke from hundreds of miles away lingers in the Bay Area, affecting health.

Also affecting how smoke travels in and around the Bay Area are the Diablo winds — the strong, hot winds that usually blow for at least a few days, usually in the fall, signaling heightened fire risk.

A high-pressure system will develop inland as a jetstream sends hot and dry air down the side of the Sierras and across the Central Valley. The winds typically pick up speed as they whip through coastal mountains.

The hot and powerful winds have toppled power lines, started fires, and created wildfire smoke in the process. That wildfire smoke needs a place to go and for inland areas, that’s typically through the Bay Area and out to sea.

The smoke can linger in the Bay Area if winds from the Pacific meet Diablo winds.

How bad is wildfire smoke for my health?

Wildfire smoke is especially damaging to the human body because it contains tiny bits of aerosolized particulate matter that the lungs can’t filter out, so it goes directly into a person’s bloodstream.

This can trigger a slew of health risks, especially for older people, children, and those with respiratory disorders. Polluted air is associated with heart attacks and strokes, primarily in people with pre-existing vulnerabilities such as lung or heart disease. Ongoing research links smoke pollution to other health problems including dementia.

Some people are more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that includes children and teenagers because they breathe more per pound of body weight. It also includes older adults, those who are pregnant, people with asthma and other upper respiratory conditions, and people with diabetes, because they’re more likely to have underlying cardiovascular or lung diseases.

Research also shows people in lower-income communities are at greater risk for smoke-related health problems.

I’ve had COVID-19. What do I need to know about wildfire smoke?

If you have or are recovering from COVID-19, you may be at greater risk from wildfire smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), because the virus affects the heart and lungs.

The CDC recommends that anyone with the virus, or who is still experiencing symptoms, make an extra effort to avoid smoke exposure.

The best protection against the risks of mixing wildfire smoke and COVID-19 is to get vaccinated against the virus. (This is the best way to protect yourself from the virus, smoke or not.)

Some of the symptoms of wildfire smoke inhalation and of COVID-19 are similar, including dry cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. But other common symptoms of the virus aren’t associated with smoke exposure, such as fever, body aches, and diarrhea.

If conditions are smoky and you have COVID-19 or are recovering, talk with your healthcare provider.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? When do I need to wear a mask or stay indoors?

With growing bad news about wildfire smoke and health, what can help? At least on the worst of smoky days.

When you do go out, make sure you’re wearing a good-quality mask (N95 or KN95). These masks definitely help, but still allow around 5% of particulate matter, the bad stuff, to pass through. Make sure the mask has a tight seal around your nose and mouth.

Experts also recommend sealing up your living space as best as possible to keep smoke from getting in, as well as using air filters to cleanse your indoor air. If you can’t smoke-proof your whole house, create a “clean room” to hang out in, or a room protected as much as possible from the outside air.

The Alameda County Health Department will also open clean air facilities to the public where you can go to breathe clean air indoors as well as cool off from any heat. When those shelters are open, they’ll be listed on the county’s Open Clean Air Facilities page.

Which masks best protect against wildfire smoke?

Masks are among the least expensive forms of protection against smoke and fallen ash, especially outdoors. But many kinds of masks, such as disposable paper masks, and cloth masks, are ineffective at blocking out the fine particulate matter contained in wildfire smoke.

To filter out smoke, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends you use an N95 respirator mask — the highly sought-after face coverings that were most needed by frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic. They are widely available at local hardware stores, drugstores, and online.

Recommendations for N95 masks can be contradictory even among experts. The Centers for Disease Control, for example, states they’re the best choice for fire smoke, but during health emergencies, these masks should be saved for healthcare providers.

While the gold standard for protection, N95s can be tricky to fit and may be uncomfortable. Still, they’re the best option for smoke-filled air.

The masks have straps meant to go around the back of your head to create a tighter seal around the nose and mouth, which can be difficult if you have facial hair. Double masking, or using a cloth mask over an N95, can help create a tighter seal. The same is true with a KN95 mask or N95 equivalents made in other countries that can function well but don’t meet U.S. standards.

Both the N95s with and without valves provide adequate protection against smoke. The valves help keep the mask from overheating, but they don’t prevent a person from potentially spreading COVID-19 when they exhale.

N95 masks may make it difficult for you to breathe, which is dangerous if you have certain lung and heart conditions. Ask your medical providers for advice tailored to your health situation. There aren’t any N95s certified for children because all are too big to fit snugly over smaller faces. For details on protecting children from fire smoke, check out this fact sheet from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How can I reduce the impact of wildfire smoke inside my home?

The key to living indoors during fire season is to keep smoke out, especially if you have or live with someone who has underlying conditions such as asthma or heart issues.

The California Air Resources Board recommends you consider permanently installing a ventilation system that filters outdoor air before it enters your home to protect against long-term or recurring episodes of air pollution, like seasonal wildfire smoke. For many—such as renters—that’s not feasible.

Pur

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas.

Explanation

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article discusses the health risks associated with breathing in wildfire smoke, which contains hazardous chemicals and particulate matter. This is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Target 3.9 specifically addresses reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution, which is relevant to the issues highlighted in the article. The indicator mentioned in the article, the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution, can be used to measure progress towards this target.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   The article explains how wildfires are caused by climate-related factors such as hot and dry winds, which increase the risk of fires. SDG 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.1 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The indicator mentioned in the article, the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters, can be used to measure progress towards this target.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   The article mentions the impact of wildfires on terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt biodiversity loss. Target 15.1 specifically focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The indicator mentioned in the article, the proportion of important sites for biodiversity covered by protected areas, can be used to measure progress towards this target.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: oaklandside.org

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.