Strategies for shielding yourself from air pollution due to Canadian wildfires
Smoke shrouds vast areas of the U.S. and Europe, posing potential risks for inhalation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies several regions, including the Midwest, Northeast, and Great Lakes in the U.S., as having "very unhealthy" air quality. It's essential for people to take precautions, especially those with pre-existing health issues.
So, what makes air unhealthy? The EPA utilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure all pollutant levels into a single number, with a lower number indicating better air quality. Classifications are as follows:
- Below 50: healthy
- 50-100: moderate
- 100-150: unhealthy for sensitive groups (e.g., people with asthma or lung disease)
- Above 150: unhealthy for everyone
As of Wednesday, the AQI reached around 160 in several Upper Midwest locations.
If you or someone you know fall under the "sensitive groups" category, it's crucial to take greater care. Dr. Sanjay Sethi, chief of the division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the University of Buffalo’s medical school, advises these individuals to either avoid going outside or wear an N95 mask or at least a dust mask.
Even if you don't notice the pollution, it might still be harmful to breathe. Access up-to-date, regional air quality information on the EPA's website or check the more granular map provided by PurpleAir, a company offering air quality sensors and real-time data.
For indoor air quality readings, consider investing in an affordable indoor air quality monitor. Joseph Allen, director of Harvard University's Healthy Buildings Program, suggests that they are widely available online today.
If you must be outside, wearing a mask—preferably an N95 one—helps filter out pollution. If you experience symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath during outdoor activities, head indoors or find somewhere with better air quality.
Improving air quality at home can be done by sealing windows, turning on the air conditioner, using blankets to block any cracks letting in outside air, and replacing air conditioner filters with MERV 13 filters (make sure they're installed correctly). Additionally, consider using an air purifier, especially if you spend most of your time in a specific room.
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- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified several regions in the U.S., including the Midwest, Northeast, and Great Lakes, as having "very unhealthy" air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 150, which is unhealthy for everyone.
- On Wednesday, the AQI reached around 160 in several Upper Midwest locations, posing potential risks for inhalation, especially for people with pre-existing health issues like respiratory conditions.
- If you or someone you know falls under the "sensitive groups" category, it's crucial to take greater care, such as avoiding going outside or wearing an N95 mask or at least a dust mask.
- Even if you don't notice the pollution, it might still be harmful to breathe. Up-to-date, regional air quality information can be found on the EPA's website or on PurpleAir's more granular map.
- For indoor air quality, consider investing in an affordable indoor air quality monitor, which are widely available online today, according to Joseph Allen, director of Harvard University's Healthy Buildings Program.
- Improving air quality at home can be done by sealing windows, turning on the air conditioner, using blankets to block any cracks letting in outside air, and replacing air conditioner filters with MERV 13 filters. Additionally, consider using an air purifier, especially if you spend most of your time in a specific room.
