Smoke2003_versionl.qxd 5/1/2003 3:51 PM Page 3
If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure
you follow your doctor's directions about taking your
medicines and following your asthma management plan.
Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older
adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor
about whether and when you should leave the area.
When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine
particles can build up indoors even though you may not
be able to see them.
Air cleaners can help indoors - but buy
before a fire.
Some room air cleaners can help reduce particle levels
indoors, as long as they are the right type and size for your
home. If you choose to buy an air cleaner, don't wait
until there's a fire — make that decision beforehand.
Note: Don't use an air cleaner that generates ozone. That
just puts more pollution in your home.
For more information about home air cleaners, go to:
www.epa.gov/iiiq/pubs/resida.ir.html
Dust masks aren't enough!
Paper "comfort" or "dust" masks — the kinds you
commonly can buy at the hardware store — are designed
to trap large particles, such as sawdust. These masks
generally will not protect your lungs from the fine particles
in smoke.
AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PARTICLES
i
Air Quality Index
Oto50
51 to 100
101 to 150
151 to 200
201 to 300
301 to 500
Air Quality
Good
Moderate
Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups
Unhealthy
Ve
Hazard
Protect Your Health
None.
Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or
heavy exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged
or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid all physical
activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
Everyone should avoid all physical activity outdoors; people with heart or lung disease,
older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.
Smoke from a fire can travel rapidly, affecting air quality in
areas hundreds of miles downwind.
If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an
older adult, or if you have children, talk with
your doctor about steps you should take to protect
yourself if smoke affects your community. If you
live in a fire-prone area, plan ahead! Talk with your
doctor before fire season, so you'll know what to do
in a smoky situation.
Only your doctor can advise you about your specific
health situation. But EPA's Air Quality Index can
help you protect yourself when particle levels are
high. Check the table to the left for specific steps
you can take.
For more information:
• If there is an active fire in your area, follow
your local news or fire web sites for up-to-date
information.
• About smoke and health:
http:llwww.epa.gov/airnowlsmoke
• About wildfires, including current status:
http-.llwww. nifc.govI
• About indoor air quality:
http-.llwww. epa.govIiaqlia-intro. html
I
Top right cover photo (billowing smoke) courtesy ofRavalli Republic News.
Office of Air and Radiation
EPA-452/F-02-002
www.epa.gov/air
May 2003
EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
How Smoke
from Fires
Can Affect
Your Health
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w
here there's fire...
there's smoke!
Every year, millions of acres
of land burn across the United
States. Some of these fires
are prescribed - set under
controlled conditions to
manage forests or agricultural
lands. Others are wildfires
started by lightning or humans.
Fires can be a threat to life,
natural resources and property.
But flames aren't the only
danger. Smoke also can be a
threat to your health.
Smoke in Bitterroot Valley, Montana, August 2002.
Smoke may smell good, but it's not good
for you.
If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from
smoke. Still, it's a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if
you can help it.
Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine
particles produced when wood and other organic 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 such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses
such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic
heart and lung diseases — and even are linked to premature
deaths in people with these conditions.
Some people are more susceptible
than others:
If you have heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart
failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
emphysema or asthma, you may experience health effects
earlier and at lower smoke levels than healthy people.
Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke,
possibly because they are more likely to have heart or lung
diseases than younger people.
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.
How to tell if smoke is affecting you:
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.
When smoke levels are high
enough, even healthy people
may experience some of these
symptoms.
Protect yourself!
It's important to limit your
exposure to smoke — especially if
you may be susceptible. Here are
some steps you can take to protect
your health:
If smoke is affecting your area,
check your local media for
information on air quality and
how to protect your health.
Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to
any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke.
Also find out if your community reports EPA's Air Quality
Index (AQI). The AQI, based on data from local air
quality monitors, tells you about the daily air quality in
your area and recommends precautions you can take
to protect your health. As smoke gets worse, the
concentration of particles in the air changes — and so do
the steps you should take to protect yourself.
Use visibility guides, where they're available. Not
every community has a monitor that measures particle
levels in the air. In the western United States, some areas
without air quality monitors have developed guidelines to
help people estimate the AQI based on how far they can
see. Check with your local air quality agency to find out if
there's a visibility guide for your area.
Use Common Sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's
probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a
run. And it's probably not a good time for your children
to play outdoors.
If you are advised to stay
indoors, take steps to keep indoor
air as clean as possible. Keep your
windows and doors closed — unless
it's extremely hot outside. Run
your air conditioner, if you have
one. Keep the fresh air intake
closed and the filter clean to
prevent bringing additional smoke
inside. Note: If you don't have an
air conditioner, staying inside
with the windows closed may be
dangerous in extremely hot
weather. In these cases, seek alter-
native shelter.
Help keep particle levels
inside lower. When smoke
levels are high, try to avoid
using anything that burns,
such as wood fireplaces, gas
logs, gas stoves — and even
candles! Don't vacuum. That
stirs up particles already
inside your home. And don't
smoke. That puts even more
pollution in your lungs, and
in the lungs of people
around you.
Children with respiratory
diseases should be monitored
closely during smoke alerts.
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