Wildfire Smoke, Asthma and the Immune System

Exposure to wildfire smoke is becoming a global health problem as a hotter, drier climate is leading to more frequent and severe wildfires. Wildfires can happen anywhere in the world and wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles from the fire. Even if you live far away from a wildfire, you may still experience health problems related to it.

People with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), children with developing lungs, the elderly, pregnant women and outdoor workers are at greater risk for developing symptoms with exposure to wildfire smoke. Even healthy people can be affected.

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of fine particulate matter, called PM2.5, and gases including volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. The fine particulate matter can be inhaled and lodge deep into the lungs. These particles cause irritation and inflammation in the lungs which can lead to serious health effects in individuals with asthma. These health effects include asthma attacks and increased asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing, cough and wheezing. Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to increased healthcare utilization including more emergency department visits and hospitalizations for people with asthma.

Exposure to PM2.5 in wildfire smoke can also affect the immune system even in healthy people. It can reduce the body’s ability to fight infections and cause inflammation throughout the body leading to heart attack, worsening heart failure, stroke or premature death.

To protect yourself from wildfire smoke, the following steps can help:
•    Wear an N95 mask when outdoors.
•    Keep windows and doors closed.
•    Use fans and air conditioning to stay cool. If you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper to reduce the smoke that enters your home.
•    Check your local outdoor air quality (www.airnow.gov) and stay indoors if local officials advise to do so during a smoke event.
•    Use a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency filter to remove fine particles from the air.
•    Avoid strenuous activity when wildfire smoke levels are high to reduce how much smoke you inhale.
•    Avoid activities that create more fine particles indoors, including:
    o    Using gas, propane, or wood-burning stoves and furnaces
    o    Smoking cigarettes
    o    Frying or broiling food
    o    Spraying aerosol products
    o    Vacuuming


7/15/2024