Washing smoke, such as smoking, “half package per day”. Here’s how to protect yourself

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect the conditions of the current wild smoke in the United States, the original story was published January 8, 2025.

Smoke of Canadian forest fires continued to air quality alerts on Monday in the northeastern United States, as well as the upper Middle West.

Michigan saw a Air quality consultant at the state level On Monday, while Minnesota sees some relief, the wild smoke is It continues in the state of Wisconsin and It is spread across New Yorkand Vermont and who.

Canada is witnessing the season of the Hashim fires, the second worst registeredAccording to government data. There were approximately 4000 fires already recorded this orthodontic year.

Exposure to wildfire smoke is an increasing health problem throughout the country, as the climate change caused by a person increases the danger and density of forest fires and smoke that can spite thousands of miles in the direction of the wind.

Here is what you need to know about health risks – and how to protect yourself.

Health risks to breathing the wild smoke

My WiljosLung disease specialist and professor at the University of California in Los Angeles, compares to smoke in the wild to smoking cigarettes – a lot of cigarettes.

Scientists track air quality with Air quality indexOr AQI, which includes various pollution sources such as ozone and fine particles. Many scholars do not believe that there "security" AQI level due to The measurement does not pick up many harmful pollutantsBut under 50 often it is acceptable. Top numbers indicate more tax pollution in the air.

on Monday, AQI was in Detroit at least 159. On a smoke day, when AQI levels reach 100 to 200, "Exposure to fine particles, air pollution, is similar to smoking a A quarter to half a bundle per dayand" Wilgus says.

This exposure negatively affects a good healthy person. But it is especially harmful to those who have health problems in advance, adds Wilgus. Emergency room visits to respiratory issues such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Significantly During the incidents of wild smoke, as much Double in some Cases. During the Canadian forest fires in 2023, when smoke was walking through most of the United States, the visits of the asthma emergency room It increased by nearly 20 percent.

You can also offer smoke Other medical conditions exacerbate. Emergency departments see more Cardiovascular Related visits after smoke days. A group of increasing research indicates that exposure to smoke is associated with long -term effects such as a higher risk Development of dementia.

In general, air quality in the United States has improved over the past twenty years, says Tarik Pinmaronia, climate and health scientist at the Scripps Eclipics Institute at the University of California, San Diego. But the smoke of the wildfire Have many of these gains.

"Perhaps 10 years ago, Wildfire was an exceptional issue. It was something once in age for most people," He says.

But climate change increased the opportunity of forest fires across many parts of the country, the severity of many burns themselves and the smoke they produce.

"Unfortunately, this is not the first and not the last person to see people in Los Angeles," Penmaronia says.

I wonder what AQI is safe and what are the safe activities in AQIS? Life kit Explain.

The risks of breathing of wild smoke

Forest fires burn at very high temperatures, making their ashes more toxic than other pollution, such as car exhaust. But in many cases, including during these continuous fires, it is not only the trees and organic materials that burn. Houses, cars and other materials also rise in fire, adding potential harmful molecules to pollution.

"It is just a toxic soup," Lisa Miller, a smoke expert in the Hashim fire at the University of California, Davis. "Think about all the artificial fibers in your living room – in your chest, in your carpet, in your clothes. All of these things can be particularly toxic" If they ascend in smoke, she says.

Top risks for some people

Washing smoke is dangerous for everyone, but it is especially dangerous for some people, including children and older adults, pregnant people and anyone suffering from pre -existing health problems.

The respondents and the first firefighters are exposed to the worst smoke. A study conducted in 2019 found that frequent heavy exposure to smoke between wild firefighters is associated with High risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Children can be In particularDoctors say, because they breathe in more air – and therefore more smoke – for body size.

Miller says pregnant women should also care. There is increasing evidence that exposure to wild smoke is associated with it Higher opportunities to Childbirth prematurely and Decreased birth weightsSometimes associated Health issues later in life.

The elderly and those with pre -existing health problems such as heart issues are also at greater risk.

The Blog Blog Tip How to protect people who are at risk of wild smoke.

How to protect yourself from wild smoke

"If you can smell smoke, these are times to reduce your exposure as much as possible." Wilgus says. She says the best way to protect yourself is to leave the area and get out of the scope of wild smoke, if possible.

If this is not an option, it suggests staying inside while closing the windows tightly. Reducing your physical activity. Run the air filter if you have one.

If you have to go out, think about wearing a N95 mask, which effectively prevents most of the small molecules from entering your lungs if it is worn properly.

Miller says that there is no level of exposure to washing smoke completely safe. But toxicists have a saying, she says: "The dose make poison. It relates to you and how much time, you are exposed."

This means everything you can do to reduce the dose, as you say, helps you protect you.

For more tips, Check out the life group guide.

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