Our health depends on a new approach to wildfire smoke messaging | Op-Ed

This past weekend, Seattle’s air quality reached hazardous levels for the first time this year

Smoke from wildfires blazing in Canada and Eastern Washington drifted into the Puget Sound region, posing major health risks to local residents.

The Dangers of Wildfire Smoke

One of the main reasons wildfire smoke is so dangerous is that it contains high levels of particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5), small particles that are about one-twentieth the width of a human hair. These particles are small enough to get into not only our lungs, but also our blood vessels, harming other organs in our body. In fact, PM_2.5 particles are associated with increased risk of pulmonary disease, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and even cancer.

The Need for a New Approach

Despite dangerously high levels of PM_2.5 levels, many people in Seattle were going about their daily routine outside, unfazed by the particle-filled air. As climate change worsens and wildfires become more common, more people in the United States will be exposed to the harsh health consequences of wildfire smoke. As a result, the U.S. needs to revamp its approach to hazardous air quality. A public health campaign aimed at education and timely, consistent messaging is imperative.

Education and Risk Reduction Strategies

Americans must receive more information on the health impacts of PM_2.5 and how to reduce one’s risks. The public health sector must be invigorated to make this happen. Public health officials should disseminate multilingual information throughout regions with poor air quality. In the midst of poor air quality days, public health figures should provide risk reduction strategies, including:

• Limiting time outdoors
• Wearing a tightly fitting mask such as an N95 when outside
• Engaging in only low-intensity activities when outside
• Using a HEPA filter indoors

Prioritizing Vulnerable Populations

Outreach to vulnerable populations, including people of color, the elderly, children, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women, needs to be prioritized. Such individuals are at increased risk of suffering the ill effects of polluted air due to socioeconomic, infrastructural, and educational disparities. Greater support from public officials could help offset some of the disproportionate effects of air pollution. Public officials should:

• Open up more community spaces for indoor activities
• Give outdoor laborers paid time off on days with hazardous air quality
• Allow nonessential workers to work from home on days with severe pollution
• Subsidize HEPA filters for low-income individuals
• Disseminate resources and instructions on how to create low-cost air filters

Improving Public Messaging

We also need to improve our public messaging on how to act during poor air-quality days. This starts with our elected officials, news anchors, meteorologists, and other trusted sources such as doctors and teachers. Real-time updates with clear guidelines on what to do during poor air quality days are needed. Individuals with chronic health conditions should develop “air-quality action plans” with their doctors.

The Importance of Mitigative Efforts

To be clear, poor air quality from wildfires is only one of countless consequences of the climate crisis. Mitigative efforts that cut greenhouse gas emissions are what we need the most. Without reforming the way we consume and produce energy, we will not be able to slow the planet from continued burning. Currently, we are spewing far too much greenhouse gas into the atmosphere and headed toward climate catastrophe. Top-down policy and bottom-up cultural reform are integral for the future. But adaptive strategies to cope with our warming environment are needed, too. We need a greater sense of urgency when addressing climate change and its attendant consequences such as wildfire smoke and poor air quality. Now is the time to implement change. Our health depends on it.

About the Author

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the health risks posed by wildfire smoke, specifically the high levels of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) present in the air. These particles are associated with increased risk of pulmonary disease, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and cancer. SDG 3 aims to ensure good health and well-being for all, and addressing the health impacts of PM2.5 aligns with this goal.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article highlights the disparities in exposure to polluted air and the health impacts of PM2.5 among vulnerable populations, including people of color, the elderly, children, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women. SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting the inclusion of all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic or other status.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies to cope with poor air quality during wildfires, which are becoming more common due to climate change. SDG 13 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

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

The article addresses the health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure from wildfire smoke, which aligns with the target of reducing deaths and illnesses caused by air pollution.

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article highlights the need to prioritize outreach to vulnerable populations, including people of color, the elderly, children, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women. This aligns with the target of promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities.

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

The article emphasizes the importance of implementing adaptive strategies to cope with poor air quality during wildfires, which aligns with the target of strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Levels of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the air: This indicator can be used to assess the reduction in air pollution and the effectiveness of measures taken to mitigate PM2.5 levels.
• Incidence of pulmonary disease, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and cancer associated with PM2.5 exposure: Tracking the incidence of these health conditions can indicate progress in reducing the health impacts of PM2.5.
• Disparities in access to information on health impacts of PM2.5 and risk reduction strategies: Monitoring the availability and accessibility of information can help assess progress in promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
• Disparities in exposure to polluted air among vulnerable populations: Measuring disparities in exposure can indicate progress in reducing inequalities and ensuring equal protection from air pollution.
• Frequency and severity of wildfires and their impact on air quality: Monitoring the frequency and severity of wildfires can provide insights into the effectiveness of climate action measures in reducing the occurrence and impact of wildfires.
• Implementation of adaptive strategies to cope with poor air quality during wildfires: Tracking the implementation of strategies such as public health campaigns, dissemination of information, and provision of resources can assess progress in strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators