Wildfire smoke has significant impacts on air quality. With wildfires commonplace during ozone season, it is good to understand how wildfire smoke can impact local air quality and your health. In wildfire events, the released smoke contains a mix of gases and fine particles that can cause a number of health issues, even when exposure is brief, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. While smoke can affect all of us, those with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions, children and the elderly, outdoor workers, and smokers are often more sensitive to it and may experience more severe symptoms.
Common symptoms of smoke exposure:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Asthma attacks
- Stinging eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Irritated sinuses
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Fast heartbeat
*For more information on the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure, visit Wildfire smoke and health | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Relocate away from smoke if possible.
- If staying home, remain inside with doors and windows closed and turn on HVAC recirculation, or other indoor air filter, to reduce additional smoke exposure.
- Avoid using air conditioning units that are not effective at filtering outdoor smoke and use the highest Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) for your system. According to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, a filter rated MERV 13 or higher is best to effectively reduce fine particle pollution in indoor air.
- Use a portable air cleaner (preferably in each occupied room) set to the highest speed to filter indoor air.
- If you do not have a portable air cleaner, you can build a “do it yourself” version using a box fan and air filters:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you must be outside, consider wearing an N95 mask or P100 respirator . According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these personal protection devices that may provide some relief from smoke inhalation.
- If driving during a smoke event, use the button in your car to recirculate air inside the car and prevent smoke intake.
Where to get more information on wildfires and smoke in your area: