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Air pollution

Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke: What to Know About Air Quality and Precautions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Wildfire smoke can travel long distances and degrade air quality far away, presenting risks for those breathing it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure pollutant levels, which are converted into a single number, with lower numbers indicating better air quality. The EPA classifies air quality into five categories, ranging from "healthy" (below 50) to "bad" for everyone (above 150). Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, lung disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are advised to take extra precautions, such as avoiding outdoor activities or wearing a mask rated N95 or higher.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to measure pollutant levels, with lower numbers indicating better air quality. The EPA classifies air quality into five categories: healthy (0-50), moderate (51-100), unhealthy for sensitive groups (101-150), unhealthy (151-200), and hazardous (201 and above).
  • Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, lung disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are advised to take extra precautions, such as avoiding outdoor activities or wearing a mask rated N95 or higher.
  • The best way to get indoor air quality readings is to buy a monitor, which can be found online for a relatively low cost.
  • For most people, going outside for a short time won't have a negative long-term impact, but wearing a mask rated N95 or higher can help filter out pollution.
  • If you must be outside and experience symptoms, experts say you should head indoors or somewhere else with better air quality.
  • Taking precautions is important even for healthy individuals, as symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath can be concerning.

Statistics:

  • The EPA uses the air quality index to measure pollutant levels, with values ranging from 0 (good) to 500 (hazardous).
  • Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, lung disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are advised to avoid outdoor activities when air quality is moderate or worse (AQI 51 or higher).
  • Wearing a mask rated N95 or higher can filter out 90-95% of particles.
  • Indoor air quality monitors can be found online for a relatively low cost, typically in the range of $20-$100.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with pre-existing conditions, such as heart or lung disease, take precautions when air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse.

Sources:

  • "What counts as bad air?" - The EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI)
  • Dr. Sanjay Sethi, chief of the division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Buffalo's medical school
  • Joseph Allen, director of Harvard University's Healthy Buildings Program
  • Jennifer Stowell, a research scientist at Boston University's Center for Climate and Health
  • The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations.

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