With Natasha Edwards, OHS
Despite the apparent calm after last summer’s wildfire season, Canada’s landscape is again grappling with recurrent smoke from fires reigniting after a winter hiatus. While these fires wreak havoc on the environment, wildlife, and communities, another silent victim often goes unnoticed: the air we breathe.
Wildfire smoke isn’t just awful to look at, it's home to hazardous fine particulate matter, toxic gases, and harmful chemicals, infiltrating our lungs and triggering various respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
Breathing in this smoke-laden air can lead to a slew of health problems, including coughing, shortness of breath, eye and throat irritation, and even aggravated conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Natasha Edwards, Senior Industrial Hygienist of MBC Group, outlines practical and helpful measures to mitigate health risks and safeguard ourselves against their invisible threat.
Here are a few practical tips to help you breathe easier amidst the chaos:
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on air quality forecasts and wildfire updates from local authorities. Canada has an Air Quality Health Index which is designed to help you understand the impact of air quality on health. This information will guide you in making informed decisions about outdoor activities. Follow professional advice, stay hydrated, stay home if you can; wear a mask, find a safe haven or relocate temporarily if you can’t.
• Stay Hydrated: Nose hairs act as a filter that prevents some dust from entering your lungs. When particles enter your nose, they get stuck on a thin layer of mucus that coats your nose hairs. Tiny hairs called cilia sweep mucus from your nasal cavity into the back of your throat where it can be swallowed and neutralized in your stomach. Staying hydrated ensures that as many particles as possible are washed down your esophagus instead of landing in the lungs which can be hard to clear and lead to longer-term health conditions.
• Stay Home- She pleads that you don’t add car pollution to the poor air quality right now; and that a vehicle ventilation system is not as adequate as a home furnace at removing airborne particles and has a much higher outdoor air intake leading to a greater exposure compared to a home furnace.
• Create Indoor Safe Havens: Natasha's expert advice includes sealing indoor spaces, upgrading filters, and utilizing air purifiers. She emphasizes, "It's about creating a space where you can breathe without worry. Keep indoor spaces as smoke-free as possible by closing windows and doors. Change out traditional furnace filters for carbon filters. When choosing a furnace filter, select a filter with the highest MERV rating recommended by your furnace manufacturer. The higher the MERV rating of the furnace filter, the smaller the particulate it will filter. Keep your furnace fan operational so the air is constantly being filtered. Utilize high-quality air purifiers that are non-ozone-producing and Natasha suggests that if an air purifier isn’t available near you- they can be made at home easily by attaching the highest HEPA-rated filter you can find to the inlet side of a box fan. This is particularly important for people who do not have ventilation systems/forced air furnaces in their homes. The most dangerous particles are very small and are almost impossible to keep entirely out. Close up your home as safely as you can, while being careful not to cut off ventilation.
• N95 Respirators: If you must venture outside or engage in activities that expose you to wildfire smoke, wear N95 respirator masks that are specially designed to filter out fine particulate matter. She notes there are several grades of N95’s, “The true, properly certified versions have a band across the ears and behind the neck. Lesser quality N95 (orKN95) are worn with ear loops alone and are non-adjustable. If these masks are unattainable, know that anything is better than nothing, even a surgical mask will filter larger particles and will capture some of the finer elements”. She says to watch for gaps, especially around the cheeks to ensure a proper fit. Keep in mind that wearing a dust mask will reduce your exposure, but it will not mitigate the exposure. The dust mask will filter out some of the particulate matter but doesn’t filter out the gases from the fires so stay indoors as much as possible.
• Seek Refuge: If the air quality becomes extremely hazardous, it's advisable to seek shelter in clean-air spaces like community centers or public buildings. Larger Malls for example typically have good air filtration systems. Vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, are particularly susceptible to the effects of poor air quality. Protecting your lungs becomes paramount. Natasha says, “If you are medically compromised, please seek the advice of your Doctor, it may be best for you to temporarily relocate.
Environmental professionals play a pivotal role in managing the aftermath of wildfires. From developing advanced air quality monitoring systems to implementing efficient smoke control strategies, these experts work tirelessly to protect our environment and public health. Their innovative solutions pave the way for a more resilient future.
The ongoing Wildfires serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that uncontrolled fires can have on air quality. If measures aren’t taken to reduce the occurrence of these catastrophic events, the environment will only worsen. As we witness the wrath of nature, it's crucial to stay informed, take proactive measures to protect ourselves and acknowledge the instrumental role of environmental practitioners in mitigating the aftermath. By understanding the invisible adversary that is wildfire smoke and acting accordingly, we can collectively strive towards breathing cleaner, healthier air.
To connect with Natasha or our environmental team, please reach out to assignments@mbc-group.ca
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