Preventing Harm from Wildfire Smoke

An orange-colored sun shines between the wires of a powerline in a hazy sky.
The sun shines through hazy orange smoke over Baltimore, June 8. | Photo by Heather M. Ross

Since Tuesday, June 6, smoke has flowed down from Canada to cover much of the northeastern United States, blanketing cities from New York to Washington, D.C., including Baltimore.

But this smoke isn’t just irritating. it can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations.

We spoke to Theresa Nguyen, a pediatrician who practices integrative medicine with Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Nguyen has been in pediatrics for more than 25 years and has two children of her own. Here’s what she had to say about staying safe amid wildfire smoke.

Why is wildfire smoke dangerous?

The smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles composed of burning trees, plants, buildings and any other material caught in the blaze, according to Nguyen and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

These small pieces are small enough to get deep into the lungs and never come out. They accumulate, and they’re toxic. Your lungs can overcome small exposures, but prolonged or large exposures may cause problems.

The small pieces can then make their way into your bloodstream and be carried to other organ systems.

While wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, the smoke is especially dangerous for those in at-risk groups. Those at risk include children because of their smaller lung capacity.  Children and older adults are most at risk, especially those with heart or lung conditions.

According to the CDC, breathing in the smoke can cause coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat, a runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

The small particles can cause severe inflammatory responses in the body, which can increase the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

What is AQI?

AQI, as many have seen splashed across headlines, stands for Air Quality Index. This is a measure of pollution in the air, used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies. A “good” AQI score is between 0 and 50. Smoke from the wildfires has caused “hazardous” (301 or higher) AQI scores in numerous East Coast cities like New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and D.C.

Parents can monitor the AQI and fires with airnow.gov, weather.gov/fire and the Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Weather Radio for emergency alerts.

If you must go outside when the air quality is poor, wear an N95 respirator.

When should I be concerned?

If the AQI is between 150 and 200, most people will have some kind of adverse effect on their health and should avoid going outside if possible. An index between 200 to 300 is a risk for everyone.

What can I do to keep my home safe?

No home is fully shut off from the outside, but there are things you can do to limit exposure to wildfire smoke indoors. Running your air conditioner, which has a filter, is one of them.

Keep windows closed.

Other things you can do include washing your hands, then face, and changing your clothes after coming in from outside. Shoes should also be left by the door. You can also run a HEPA air purifier (a type of pleated mechanical air filter).

Is a cloth mask enough to protect me and my child?

No, cloth and surgical masks do not filter the fine particulates. N95 masks are effective. But for children who are very young, N95s don’t always fit well, so it’s important to check that they are fitted properly. A properly fitted N95 mask will block around 95% of the small particulates.

To tell if the N95 is fitted correctly, you can test it by spraying a fragrance and seeing if you or your child smell it. The metal bar at the top of the mask should be fitted snugly against the nasal bridge.

How do I explain this to my child?

How you explain will vary depending on your child’s age. For young children, start with their senses. Talk about what they can see, what they can taste and smell. Tell them that you want to avoid getting those things in their lungs because they can make you sick.

When should I be medically concerned?

We don’t want to set off any alarms. If you take preventative measures, you should be fine. The goal is to educate, not alarm. Seek medical attention if you or your child has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. A cough alone is not cause for alarm, but it may be time to seek medical assistance if you are coughing so much you can’t do any other activity.

Use common sense. You know when your child is sick. Just be aware, as prevention is key.

 

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