heLasting mpactof ildfire moke: otecting ourHealth
thelong-termhealtheffectsofwildfire nhalationandlearnhowtoprotect fandyourlovedones.
CarbonMonoxide
Acolorless,odorlessgas thatreducesoxygen deliveryinthebody, leadingtoheadaches, dizziness,andfatigue duringwildfireevents.
What'sinWildfireSmoke?
VolatileOrganic Compounds(VOCs)
Toxicgasesreleased duringcombustionthat contributetorespiratory irritation,headaches,and long-termhealthriskslike cancer.
FineParticulate Matter(PM2.5)
Tinyparticlessmall enoughtopenetrate deepintothelungsand bloodstream,causing inflammationand worseningexistingheart andlungconditions.
HeavyMetalsand Toxins
Wildfiresburningmanmadematerialsrelease metalslikeleadand arsenic,whichcan damageorgansand weakentheimmune system.
Long-TermHealthImpacts
WildfireSmokeCarriesPM2.5
Tinydustparticlesthatcantraveldeepinto thelungsandenterthebloodstream
RepeatedSmokeExposure HarmsLungs
Increasesasthmaattacks,COPDflare-ups, andriskofchronicbronchitis
HigherStrokeRisk
Hospitalsseemorestrokecasesduringand aftermajorwildfireevents
LinktoPrematureDeath
Long-termexposuretowildfirePM2.5 associatedwithincreasedmortalityfrom heartandlungdisease
IncreasedStrainontheHeart
Fineparticlesforcethehearttoworkharder, damagingbloodvesselwalls
HealthImpactsofWildfireSmokeExposure
SmokeCarriesPM₂.₅
Particles
Tinydustparticlesin wildfiresmokecantravel deepintothelungsand enterthebloodstream.
IncreasedAsthma Attacks
Repeatedexposureto wildfiresmokecanmake asthmaattackshappen moreoftenandfeel worse.
HigherRiskofHeart AttackandStroke
Fineparticlesinthe smokeforcetheheartto workharderandcan damagebloodvessel walls,leadingto increasedriskofheart attacksandstrokes.
VulnerableGroups atHigherRisk
Children,theelderly,and peoplewithheartorlung diseasearemore sensitivetotheeffectsof wildfiresmokeandcan getsickmoreeasily.
WhoisMostatRisk?
Children(still-growing lungs)
Children'slungsarestilldeveloping,making themmorevulnerabletothedamaging effectsofwildfiresmoke.
Olderadults
Olderadultsoftenhaveweakerrespiratory andcardiovascularsystems,puttingthemat higherriskfromsmokeexposure.
Pregnantwomen
Pregnantwomenandtheirunbornbabiesare particularlysensitivetotheharmfulpollutants inwildfiresmoke.
Patientswithchronic conditions
Peoplewithasthma,COPD,heartdisease,or diabetesaremorelikelytoexperiencesevere reactionstowildfiresmoke.
Outdoorworkers
Individualswhoworkoutdoorshaveincreased exposuretowildfiresmokeandgreaterriskof healthimpacts.
ProtectingYourself
SmokeCarriesPM2.5
Tinydustparticlessosmalltheycan penetratedeepintothelungsandenterthe bloodstream
Long-TermHealthEffects
Increasedriskofasthmaattacks,COPD exacerbation,heartattacks,strokes,and prematuredeath
High-RiskGroups
Children,elderly,thosewithexisting lung/heartconditions,andoutdoorworkers aremostvulnerable
ProtectIndoors
UseMERV13orhigherfilters,keep windows/doorsclosed,andrunHVACin recirculatemode
ProtectOutdoors
Monitorairquality,limittimeoutside,and wearN95orKN95maskswhenneeded
HealthEffectsof CaliforniaWildfires
Thelong-termhealtheffectsofbreathingin wildfiresmokecanbesevere,leadingtolung damage,heartproblems,andincreasedriskof strokeandearlydeath.Wildfiresarebecoming morecommon,andthetinyparticulatematter (PM2.5)inthesmokecanpenetratedeepintothe lungsandevenenterthebloodstream.
Discovermore
athttps://filterbuy.com/resources/health-andwellness/long-term-health-effects-of-wildfiresmoke-inhalation-on-humans/
KeyStepstoReduceSmokeExposure
StayInformed
(AQI)andlimit outdooractivities whentheAQIis above150, indicating 'unhealthy'air quality.
stayinsidewith windowsand doorsclosed.Use aN95orKN95 maskifyouneed togooutside.
recirculatemode andinstallaMERV 13orhigherfilter toremovefine particulate matter.Consider usingaportable HEPAairpurifier foradded protection.
respiratory symptomsor chestpain,seek medicalcare immediately. Keepnecessary medications, suchasinhalers, readilyavailable. Seek edical tention women,and thosewithpreexisting conditionslike asthma,COPD,or heartdiseaseare moresensitiveto smokeand shouldtakeextra precautions.
