Let’s Talk About Wildfire Smoke and Health
By: Alison Davis
With more than 20 wildfires currently burning in the western U.S., this is a good time to learn more about wildfire smoke and health – and what you can do to protect yourself.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant women and children are at greater risk from wildfire smoke – but even healthy people can be affected. Join our live Twitter chat at 1:30 p.m. EDT Monday, Aug. 22, to learn more about steps you can take to reduce your smoke exposure. Follow @EPAair and the #WildfireSmoke hashtag to join the conversation.
EPA research cardiologist Dr. Wayne Cascio and health effects scientist Susan Stone will be joined by experts from the U.S. Forest Service and the Centers for Disease Control to discuss:
- What we know about wildfire smoke and health
- How to find out if wildfire smoke is affecting air quality where you live
- What steps you can take, before and during a fire, to protect your health
Post questions now in the comment section below, or tweet them when you join us for the chat on Aug. 22. We’ll answer as many question as we can during the chat.
About the author: Alison Davis is a Senior Advisor for Public Affairs in EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards.
Aug 17, 2016 @ 18:30:57
Please address the make up of wildfire smoke and how it might combine with ozone and other pollutants in cities who already experience poor air quality during fire season, e.g, Utah, California.
Also, how are air quality standards and measurement tools set to reflect the regular seasonal occurrence of forest fire (and it’s increase due to drought and climate change).
What are the similarities of forest fire smoke and that from backyard fire pits and fireplace fires?
Aug 18, 2016 @ 15:40:57
Has their been any progress on an operational particulate mask for wildland fire fighters that will filter out PM2.5?
Aug 19, 2016 @ 11:33:16
how much wildfire smoke is considered unsafe?
Aug 22, 2016 @ 10:18:12
What is the main difference, in terms of composition, between wildfire smoke and emissions from residential wood burning, which is an important contibutor to PM2.5 in major cities around the globe.
Aug 22, 2016 @ 13:28:06
Please address how the particulate PM 2.5 AQI, when it changes very quickly in a 1 hour or 2 time frame, and the AQI not being able to keep up with such quick changes. How can this be fixed for wildfire smoke, which does move and change quickly. (unlike woodstove smoke).
Aug 22, 2016 @ 13:48:37
Where can I refer a land management official to the most current and credible research about smoke exposure to wildland fire fighters?
Aug 22, 2016 @ 14:28:40
Where can I refer an International fire official to find the most recent and accurate research about the effects of exposure to wildland fire smoke on fire fighters?
Aug 24, 2016 @ 15:50:33
LUNG DISEASES LINKED WITH INHALATION PARTICLES IN THE TRACTO BREATHING. WILDFIRES, SMOKE, GUNPOWDER AND ARE ELEMENTS DANGEROUS FOR THE HEALTH OF THE LUNGS. WE SHOULD CARE OUR LUNGS AND THE RESPIRATORY APPARATUS. USING FACEMASKS COVERING NOSE AVOIDING ENTERING RARE AND HARMFUL PARTICLES INTO BODY.