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Dealing with Wild Fires - FAQs:
Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood, organic, and man-made matter burn. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems. Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose.
If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People 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 they may experience symptoms such as:
- coughing,
- phlegm,
- chest discomfort,
- wheezing, and
- shortness of breath.
Children also are more susceptible to smoke for several reasons: their respiratory systems are still developing; they breathe more air (and air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults; and they're more likely to be active outdoors.
When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms. Common health effects, such as minor irritation, may not require a visit to your doctor. But, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience more serious symptoms like those listed above.
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Reducing your exposure to smoke in the air will help prevent health effects. You can reduce your exposure to smoke by staying indoors where you are safe, and, if possible, keeping windows closed. Run your air conditioner, if you have one. The fresh-air intake on air conditioners should be closed to prevent outdoor air from entering your home. Be sure your filters are changed regularly.
Avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and candles, when smoke levels outside are high. Do not vacuum or stir up dust in your house. And do not smoke.
Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, will not help protect you against smoke as they allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through to your lungs. For more information about effective masks, see the Respirator Fact Sheet provided by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Regularly check the Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area. You can find out about the AQI for your area at: http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local
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