Catching fire
What’s the best way to limit exposure to smoke from wildfires and still have a life?
Q: I heard that smoke from wildfires is worse for you than cigarette smoke. We’re being blanketed with it, between the 600 fires in British Columbia and the hundreds throughout the U.S. West Coast, plus Nevada, Idaho and Montana. What’s the best way to limit exposure and still have a life?
— Jason P., Seattle
A: First of all, Jason, cigarette smoke is a lot worse for you than the smoke that you are experiencing in the air over Seattle, and that’s generally true for the millions of folks in the U.S. and Canada who are affected. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t harmful chemicals and particulate matter in the wildfire smoke. There may be large flakes of ash, as well as microscopic bits of residue from burned materials. Those tiny particles also pick up other things floating through the air (sea salt in your area, Jason) and those microscopic particles can penetrate deep into your lungs along with the pollutants.
Particulate matter can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, and that ups the risk for heart attack and stroke. In addition, there are toxic chemicals like nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde and benzene in the wildfire smoke. That’s why smoky air is especially risky for people with respiratory diseases, asthma or heart problems.
The firefighters also are at increased risk: It’s our understanding that a lot of them are put on three-hour shifts in order to minimize their risk of exposure, and they wear sophisticated ventilators.
As for you and your neighbors, if you opt for a mask when you go outside, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a NIOSH-approved N95 or a P100 respirator. They remove 90 to 95 percent of pollutants. Still, check for air-quality alerts (there’s an app for that) before you head out, and don’t let a mask lull you into a false sense of security.
Stick with indoor exercise — no outdoor aerobics in smoky air! And keep an eye on elderly neighbors to make sure they are well and, if stuck inside, that they’re fed and hydrated. When the seasons change and you get some rain, the air should return to normal. If you’ve been smart about using masks and avoiding prolonged exposure to the smoke, you should not experience any lasting damage.