Keep Your Lungs Healthy During Wildfire Season

On the evening of October 21, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties due to an onslaught of wildfires that have left thousands homeless and one dead thus far. Consequently, many areas of Southern California have been blanketed in a cloud of smoke and soot.

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gas and tiny bits of particulate matter that can cause a range of symptoms such as coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, chest pain, headaches, runny nose, and asthma exacerbations. Smoke inhalation may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by preventing normal breathing, causing coughs, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. Therefore, because residents affected by wildfires are coming into direct contact with large amounts of smoke, caution must be taken when it comes to air quality.

In anticipation of wildfires, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has provided the following guidelines that should be followed in order to limit smoke exposure in the event of a wildfire:

Pay attention to local air quality reports. Watch news reports for health warnings about smoke, and pay attention to public health messages for additional safety tips.

Refer to visibility guides if they are available. While not every community has a monitor that measures the amount of airborne particulates, Southern California communities have guidelines to help people estimate Air Quality Index (AQI) based on far they can see.

If you are advised to stay indoors, keep indoor air as clean as possible. Be sure to keep windows and doors closed, and run the air conditioner and/or air purifier if you have either. If it is too hot outside and you do not have an air conditioner, seek shelter elsewhere.

Do not add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, refrain from using anything that burns, such as fireplaces, gas stoves, and candles. Do not vacuum, as vacuuming stirs up existing particles, and do not smoke.

Follow your doctor's advice. If you suffer from asthma, allergies, or lung disease, continue taking medication and call your doctor if symptoms worsen.

Do not rely on dust masks for protection. Paper "comfort" or "dust" masks commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles such as sawdust, and will not protect your lungs from smoke. If properly worn, an "N95" mask can offer some protection. Again, if in doubt, evacuate and seek shelter in a safe area.