Protecting ourselves and our families from wildfire pollution

Written by Dr. Jenna R Krall and Dr. Lucas RF Henneman

Source: NASA

Smoke? Haze? What was clouding the Virginia air recently?  The terrible air quality along the East Coast last week was predominantly driven by small particles, called PM2.5, released from the Canadian wildfires. PM2.5 levels observed across our state were off-the-chart bad—Virginians breathed air pollution up to 8.5 times the health-based standard set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

Generally speaking, air pollution consists of a mixture of gases, such as ozone, as well as solid or liquid particles including PM2.5. Air pollution and climate change are inexorably linked: air pollution, including PM2.5, is often generated by the same sources that emit greenhouse gases and lead to climate change including industry, traffic, or natural sources such as wildfires.  What makes PM2.5 so insidious is that it can travel deep into our lungs, and from our lungs into the bloodstream, making it a pollutant of particular concern. 

But is exposure to high levels of air pollution for only a day or two truly dangerous? Yes!  The most obvious health impacts of breathing too much smoke are short-lived complaints such as coughing, eye irritation, or asthma attacks.  Yet PM2.5 is harmful beyond these complaints.  Short-term exposure to PM2.5– that is, exposure to increased levels of PM2.5 over the past day or two– is associated with a range of harmful health outcomes including hospitalizations for heart attacks and heart failure as well as premature death, even at levels considered safe according to our current national standards.  Additionally, the US EPA regularly evaluates the evidence for other health effects of PM2.5, including impacts on pregnancy and birth outcomes, cancer, metabolic and nervous system impacts (including ADHD, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia).  

Our recent major wildfire smoke event is outside the norm for Virginia. Over the last few decades, Virginia’s air quality has improved steadily thanks to changes like cleaner engines in cars and closing coal power plants. These hard-fought gains are the result of major efforts by engineers, regulators, and industry officials, but climate change—even in areas far from Virginia—has the potential to undo their hard work. A warming climate will likely lead to more wildfires, and, as we saw last week, a fire anywhere has the potential to cause damage in our state. Climate-motivated interventions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions will also reduce air pollution, leading to better health for Virginians.  

How can we protect ourselves when the air quality is bad?  Keeping up to date with local air quality through the US EPA AirNow website or mobile application is a great way to understand the current risks.  AirNow provides the local Air Quality Index (AQI), which is a standardized measure of pollution levels from 0-500 that associates the health risk to levels of multiple harmful pollutants in the air-- a "Code Red" air pollution day (151-200) is when pollution concentrations are "unhealthy".  Along with a health risk designation, the AQI provides recommendations, such as for a Code Red day, sensitive groups (such as children, older adults, and those with health conditions) should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and everyone else should reduce long or intense activities. 

For high pollution days that reach Code Red or Purple on the AQI scale, take action to limit your exposure. While many buildings are not designed to keep air pollution outside, staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed can help. If you have an HVAC system, keeping the fan running continuously can improve indoor air quality—just be sure you change your air filter regularly. For single rooms, air purifying systems can be a useful tool for cleaning up the air.  If you need to go outside, wearing a well-fitted high-quality mask (e.g., N95) can help to reduce your exposure to PM2.5.

June's hazy skies were a clear reminder of the increasing risks we face with a changing climate. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help keep Virginia’s skies clear and Virginians’ lungs healthy.

Authors

Dr. Jenna R Krall

Dr. Krall is a faculty affiliate with the Virginia Climate Center and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health at George Mason University

Dr. Lucas RF Henneman

Dr. Henneman is an Assistant Professor in the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering at George Mason University