As wildfire smoke blanketed large swaths of the eastern United States, many people experienced physical symptoms such as stinging, stinging eyes; itchy throat; runny nose; and some coughing. For those without underlying medical conditions, this is largely a temporary irritant. “You’re going to have a little bit of pain, but you can wipe it out,” says Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
But for those most vulnerable, even brief exposure can have immediate consequences, as exposure to toxins in smoke can trigger inflammation and exacerbate existing health problems. This group included children and adults with respiratory or cardiovascular disease. “For vulnerable populations, brief exposure may be enough to trigger underlying lung problems or overall conditions,” Dr. Galiatsatos said. Infants, young children, older adults and pregnant women are also at higher risk of serious health effects.
Everyone probably wants to take precautions, but it’s especially important if you’re vulnerable. Here’s what health experts recommend to minimize your risk:
Monitor air quality.
“Don’t let your eyes be the only factor in determining air quality,” Dr. Galiatsatos said. Monitor your local Air Quality Index, which can be found at AirNow.gov.
If the air quality is poor, try to stay indoors as much as possible, said Dr. Samantha Green, a family physician with Unity Health Toronto. If the air quality is moderate and you have underlying medical conditions, you may need to continue to take precautions and minimize time outside. AQI values above 100 indicate unhealthy air, and values between 51 and 100 are considered moderate.
“These toxins — if you can avoid them, avoid them,” says Dr. Galiatsatos. “Stay home, close the windows, that would be the most ideal situation.”
If you need to go out, please take precautions.
Avoid exercising or engaging in strenuous activity outdoors, says Laura Corlin, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. If you need to go outside, wear a tight-fitting mask, such as an N95. When you get home, change your clothes, says Dr. Galiatsatos.
The CDC notes that dust masks, surgical masks and bandanas do not adequately protect children from the fumes, and that N95 masks are generally not suitable for children and may not provide adequate coverage. (Another fitting mask, such as a KF94, can help.) The agency also said breathing through a damp cloth likely won’t protect children from fumes.
Make your indoor space as safe as possible.
Experts recommend keeping windows closed. An air purifier like a HEPA filter can help, especially if it’s in the room where you spend the most time. Dr. Corlin recommends minimizing activities that can affect indoor air quality: no candles or fireplaces, and no frying or grilling.
Limit time with large groups.
After we’re exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter in the air, our immune systems work less efficiently, said Dr. Francesca Dominici, professor of biostatistics, population and data science at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. If you are immunocompromised, you may need to limit the amount of time you spend indoors with large groups of people, as you may not be able to fight off viruses that others pass on to you.
Monitor your health.
Exposure to toxic air pollutants increases the risk of heart attack. If you experience chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency help.
For people with underlying respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis, watch for worsening symptoms like difficulty breathing or a more severe cough, Dr. Dominici said. If your symptoms get worse, contact your doctor who may recommend an increase in your dose.
Watch babies and young children to make sure they’re not having trouble breathing or coughing excessively, says Dr. Dominici. If a child has asthma, parents may want to contact their child’s doctor to see if they should change their medication.
