“Ugh, the air quality is terrible this morning,” a friend in Boston lamented on Facebook last week. A friend in Ontario, Canada canceled our regular remote workout session because her eyes and throat were burning from the wildfire smoke. Areas across the Northeast, the Midwest, Canada and the Great Lakes have been impacted by wildfires raging across Canada’s forests and those in Northern Minnesota. What does this mean for residents in those regions?
Cause And Effects
“The burning of plant matter emits large amounts of pollutants,” air quality technology firm IQAir explains on its website. “Burning organic material emits particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead, mercury, and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs),” the site notes, pointing out that the massive size of some fires — including those raging right now — cause far-reaching air pollution. This is what Canadians and Americans are being exposed to in their neighborhoods and homes.
“Pollution from small particles called PM2.5 — the fine particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter are the primary air pollution killers — has been far into the ‘Hazardous’ range across five states since Wednesday morning,” reported Yale’s Climate Connections last Friday.
“Once inhaled, these particles can trigger inflammation throughout the body, including blood vessels, which can cause cardiovascular complications. Ultimately, this exposure can place strain on the heart, potentially worsening the underlying cardiovascular conditions that already elevate stroke risk,” warns Dr. Myles Druckman, global medical director at International SOS, an international health and security services firm with U.S.-based assistance centers in Phoenix, San Antonio and the Philadelphia area.
“These types of risks are most concerning for older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes,” he reveals. “Short-term effects are often noticed immediately and include irritation of the eyes and throat, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches and worsening of pre-existing conditions such as asthma,” Druckman notes. For most people, these symptoms improve once the exposure ends, he says. “Even if you do not experience immediate symptoms, reducing exposure to smoke is key, as the absence of short-term effects doesn't mean your body isn't being affected in the long term.”
That long term exposure is extremely problematic. “When you have prolonged or repeated exposure to wildfire smoke, you have a higher likelihood of inhaling toxins that cause repeated inflammation throughout the body and can increase the risk of chronic lung disease, reduced lung function and cardiovascular complications, especially as time goes on,” the physician shares.
Indoor Protection
What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the toxins blanketing your region? “The most effective step to reduce your exposure is limiting time outdoors when air quality is poor,” Druckman recommends. “Stay inside with windows and doors closed tightly to prevent smoke from entering your home. Use an air conditioner on ‘recirculate’ and a high-quality HEPA air purifier, if possible, to help improve indoor air quality.”
Staying indoors is one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, he comments, but it doesn’t eliminate the risk completely. The particulate matter present in the smoke can enter your home through ventilation systems, as well as open doors and windows. “There are also everyday activities that can unintentionally worsen indoor air quality,” Druckman observes, listing: “Keeping windows open during poor air quality, burning candles, smoking or vaping, using fireplaces and vacuuming can kick up or create additional particles in your home.”
If you’re using a portable air conditioner, make sure it’s properly installed and sealed and set to recirculate, if possible, he cautions. Otherwise, you may be drawing in unhealthy outside air. He also suggests using a portable HEPA filter or upgrading your HVAC system to a high-efficiency filter to greatly reduce the volume of small particles that can enter your home.
“If your home lacks air conditioning or if keeping the windows closed makes it dangerously hot, do not risk heat stroke by staying indoors with the windows closed. Seek out an air-conditioned public space such as a local library or community center to stay safe from both the heat and smoke,” Druckman advises.
Last Words
While the air outside is observably foul for millions of our fellow Americans (and Canadians), we typically spend 90% of our time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. We can’t control the smoke billowing from wildfires raging across the continent, but we can — and should — improve our indoor air quality (IAQ). Perhaps the silver lining of the ugly haze hanging over your property, getting into your eyes, lungs and home, is that it becomes a catalyst for year-round IAQ enhancements.
There will be more wildfires, more smoke and more pollution in the weeks, months and probably years to come. An ounce of prevention in this environment is worth much more than a pound of cure — especially where incurable health conditions are concerned and exacerbated.
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Author’s Note: Dr. Druckman’s interview was conducted by email on July 16 and 17, and his responses were created in collaboration with Courtney Mindzak, MPH, senior public health specialist at International SOS.