In recent times, large parts of the eastern United States have been engulfed by wildfire smoke, and people are having physical symptoms such as stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, and coughing. For individuals without underlying health conditions, these symptoms will mostly be temporary irritations. Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist at John Hopkins Medicine, said, “You’ll be miserable a little bit, but you’ll be able to brush it off.”
However, for those most vulnerable, even brief exposure can have immediate and severe health impacts as exposure to toxins in the smoke can worsen existing health issues and trigger inflammation. This group includes both children and adults who have respiratory or cardiovascular disorders. According to Dr. Galiatsatos, “For vulnerable populations, the brevity of exposure may be enough to flare up underlying lung issues, or conditions overall.” Babies, young children, older adults, and pregnant women are also at higher risk of severe health impacts.
According to Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, individuals with asthma are particularly vulnerable. “The bottom line is this: If you can stay indoors, stay indoors,” she said.
Everyone should beware, but taking precautions is particularly important if you are at high health risk. Below are some recommendations from health experts to minimize your exposure:
Monitor air quality.
Dr. Galiatsatos advises individuals to “Don’t let your eyes be the sole deciding factor” to determine air quality. Check the local Air Quality Index, which can be found at AirNow.gov.
When the air quality is poor, remain inside as much as possible, says Dr. Samantha Green, a family physician at Unity Health Toronto. If the air quality is moderate and you have underlying conditions, you may want to continue to take precautions and reduce outdoor activities. Air Quality Index values above 100 suggests unhealthy air, while values between 51 and 100 are moderate.
“If you can avoid these toxins, avoid them,” said Dr. Galiatsatos. “Staying at home, windows closed, that would be the ideal situation.”
Take precautions if you need to go outside.
Avoid exercising or engaging in rigorous outdoor activities, said Laura Corlin, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. If you need to go outside, wear a tight-fitting mask like an N95. When you get home, change your clothes, said Dr. Galiatsatos.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dust masks, surgical masks, and bandanas are insufficient to protect children from smoke, and N95 masks are typically not suitable for children and may not provide sufficient coverage. The agency also stated that breathing through a wet cloth is very unlikely to protect children from smoke.
Make your indoor space as safe as possible.
Experts suggest keeping your windows closed if possible. An air purifier like a HEPA filter can help, particularly if it is in the room where you spend the most time. Dr. Corlin advised against activities that could impact indoor air quality, such as burning candles or using a fireplace, and frying or boiling meat.
Limit extensive gathering time.
After exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air, our immune system operates less efficiently, according to Dr. Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatistics, population, and data science at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. If you have an immunocompromised condition, you may want to limit indoor unmasked time with large groups of people since you may be less capable of fighting off viruses that someone passes to you.
Monitor your health.
Exposure to toxic air pollutants raises the risk of heart attacks. If you are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention right away.
For people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis, pay close attention to worsened symptoms like difficulty breathing or intense coughing, according to Dr. Dominici. If you have heightened symptoms, contact your doctor, who may suggest increased medication.
Watch babies and young children to ensure that they can breathe normally and are not excessively coughing, says Dr. Dominici. Parents of children with asthma may wish to contact their doctor to determine if they should change their medication.
