The Impact of Wildfire Smoke
In the 21st century, 6/10 largest wildfires in US history have burnt more than 6 million acres of land. The increase in severe wildfires has exponentially increased exposure to wildfire smoke and air pollution. After a wildfire is contained and controlled, wildfire smoke continues to cause harm to human health, damage to property, and contribute greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
How does wildfire smoke impact human health?
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds to thousands of miles away carrying toxic pollutants such as hydrocarbons, lead, ozone, N02, and fine inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) that can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. The impact of wildfire smoke on human health depends on proximity to the wildfire and the concentration of airborne particulate matter in given area.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale established by the EPA that defines 0-50 as non hazardous, 50-150 is hazardous to those sensitive to air pollution, 150-300 is hazardous to everyone, and a score of 300 is considered emergency conditions.
Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause mild symptoms such as irritation to the eyes and airways, resulting in coughing, difficulty breathing, a scratchy throat, headaches, stinging eyes, or a runny nose. Severe symptoms from exposure to wildfire smoke include asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes.
Who is at Risk?
If you’re dealing with chronic heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asthma, it’s more than possible to experience these symptoms earlier and at lower smoke levels than most. It’s more than likely you will have exacerbated symptoms as well. Older adults have a higher likelihood to be feeling the impacts of wildfire smoke. Childrens’ respiratory systems are still developing, so they breathe more air per lb of body weight and are also more likely to be outdoors. Pregnant women face higher risk for wildfire smoke, for it may cause preterm birth and lower birth weights.
The CDC recommends purchasing an indoor air purifier and respirator masks. These air purifiers can help reduce particle level indoors as long as you purchase the right type and size of the room you install it in as specified by the manufacturer. The last thing you want to do is wait until there’s already a fire, being prepared and making that decision beforehand, can potentially save lives.
How does wildfire smoke impact property?
Wildfire smoke can stain or burn the exterior and interior of your home which leaves behind odor and discoloration. In addition, wildfire smoke can damage the electrical and air purification systems of a home. To prevent smoke from entering the home when a fire is in the area, make sure all doors, vents, and windows are closed and sealed.
How does wildfire smoke impact air quality?
A great case-study of this is the air-quality surrounding the city of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has referred to this issue as a “double punch” of both wildfire smoke and high ozone levels. These factors, paired with the topological “bowl” shape of the city, trapping in all air pollutants create an environment for some of the worst air quality in the nation. There is no debate that these factors have had a significant impact on Utah air, but the severity of these are completely dependent on where some of these fire are burning as well as the direction the wind is blowing. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Air Quality or, DAQ, monitors the federal ozone standard. This is set at 70 ppb over an eight-hour period. DAQ also monitors particulate pollution of various sizes. Essentially, the smaller the particle, the bigger the health risk as these particles end up in the lungs.
The graph above shows the difference in air quality in Utah from 2008 - 2018
In the worst parts of summer in 2018, Utah experienced an increase of particulate size up to 8x the average recorded from 2008-2018. When you compare it with the federal standard, this comparison rises up to more than 15x.