So we all thought we were done with masks as COVID has lessened from a pandemic to a manageable issue (and fewer deaths than before, but still about 60 Americans die every day from COVID). We had to wear masks indoors. Well, now masks are back, but we should be wearing them outdoors! All because of very high levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air being brought here from hundreds of wildfires throughout Canada. Hot and dry weather earlier than normal, in part due to Climate Change, has caused a record number of forest fires earlier than usual and too many to control. An estimated area the size of South Carolina is burning (spread throughout 4 time zones) and the ashes are picked up by weather patterns and blown into the US. Air pollution certainly knows no national borders! Air quality has reached dangerous levels healthwise in New York City, Chicago, Washington, Minneapolis, and other major metropolitan cities.
Why is this a problem? The smoke from wildfires contains many compounds that are toxic to us, including products of incomplete combustion. Perhaps the most injurious is ultrafine particulates, smaller than 2.5 microns (one-twentieth the diameter of a human hair), which can penetrate our defenses, get into our lungs, and cause substantial damage. “PM2.5” can damage lung tissue, get into our bloodstream and has been found to damage other organs (the liver, the brain).
Research appears to show that PM2.5 is especially dangerous for children whose systems are still developing but have immature immune systems. Studies have shown that even before the latest events with the wildfires that there is a correlation between high PM2.5 levels and poorer test scores, more teenage crime, etc.
So what can we do? In the short-term, check daily the air quality in your area. If the index is or will be that day 100 or greater, be concerned, and if it is over 150, protect yourself by wearing a N95 mask or equivalent outdoors. It won’t filter out all of the PM2.5 but will remove a good portion of it. In addition, if your area could reach index levels of 150 or greater in the future, implement safeguards for your indoor air, such as installing high quality air conditioning filters. Ensure that the building you work in meets ASHRAE standards for indoor air quality (IAQ), which includes ventilation to dilute pollutants and filtration to remove particulate and other matter.
In the longer term, what can be done to reduce wildfires in the US or elsewhere? Many are caused by lightning, which is beyond our control. However, the conditions that enable wildfires to grow and unleash large amounts of pollutants are influenced by Climate Change. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as replacing fossil fuel combustion with renewable energy, is a good long-term step. But also, many forest fires are caused by human carelessness. So be sure when camping this summer season to be aware of your actions that could cause a spark and ignite a fire.
The PM2.5 air quality issue is not going away. More wildfires will occur releasing more pollutants this summer and in future years. Be aware of it, carry a mask around, and be mindful that this is not a matter to take lightly.
CCES has the experts to help you assess your air pollution issues and help you react to conditions or reduce your emissions in an economical way. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.