The health effects of wildfire smoke

While smoke may sometime smell good, it’s not good for humans. Well, the one we’ve getting since the middle of summer and that has drifted all over Utah and the rest of the Rocky Mountains region has been one incredible and unpleasant experience. 

After traveling from California over the Nevada, the smoke no longer smelled much, but its effects are still very harmful on us. Thank god, the wind would change all the time and the conditions constantly change from acceptable to worst. 

Sure, we don’t all have the same sensitivity to wildfire smoke, it’s still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if we can. And when smoke is heavy, such as can occur in close proximity to a wildfire, it’s bad for everyone. Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. 

The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs. How many packs of cigarettes does repeated exposure means? No one knows for sure. Still, smoke can cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes, runny nose to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases. 

It’s therefore especially important for to pay attention to local air quality reports during a fire or if there is smoke or ash traveling overhead. People most at risk are those with with heart or lung disease, obviously older adults, young children with respiratory systems still developing, folks with with diabetes and pregnant women. 

The most telling symptoms are burning eyes, running nose, coughing and difficulty breathing. Those with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and may experience symptoms such as coughing chest discomfort and shortness of breath. 

Protecting oneself begins with paying attention to local air quality reports, and this is not easy because they’re not all created equal, at least in North America. Then, use common sense to guide your activities. Even if you don’t have a monitor in your area, if it looks or smells smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run.

 And it's probably not a good time for children – especially those with asthma - to be vigorously active outdoors.