California Wildfires: Protecting Your Health

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 11 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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As hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across California, residents are dealing with smoke and dust pollution. Smoke, dust and fire can have negative effects on anyone in the area, including emergency responders and relief workers. All are likely to encounter one or more of these dangerous elements.

It is vitally important to follow the instructions of local officials regarding evacuation and risk area information. The American Red Cross offers the following advice about how to protect your health:

Pay attention to local air quality reports:

- Listen and watch for news or health warnings about smoke.
- Find out if your community provides reports about the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index (AQI).
- Follow instructions from public health officials about taking additional safety measures such as proper use of masks.
- Contact your local Health Department for more information.

Health threats of wildfire smoke and dust:

Smoke from wildfires can create unhealthy air quality - it can make your eyes hurt, irritate your respiratory system and, if you have chronic heart or lung disease, make your symptoms worse. People who have heart disease or respiratory conditions such as allergies, asthma and emphysema might experience more severe symptoms ranging from chest pain to low energy to wheezing. Older adults and children are more likely to be affected by smoke. When smoke levels are high enough, even those without an existing medical condition may experience symptoms such as-

- Coughing
- Scratchy throat
- Irritated sinuses
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Stinging eyes
- Runny nose

Limit indoor exposure to smoke and dust:

- Keep indoor air as clean as possible. If you are advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed and keep your air conditioning air filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. If you do not have an air conditioner and it is too hot to stay inside with the windows closed, seek shelter elsewhere.

- Do not add to indoor air pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves. Avoid vacuuming, because it stirs up particles already inside your home. Avoid smoking cigarettes, because smoking puts even more pollution in the air.

- Refer to visibility guides. In the western part of the United States, some communities have guidelines to help people estimate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI), based on how far they can see.

- Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car.

- If you have not been diagnosed with lung or respiratory disease and experience chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe tiredness, seek medical care. Smoke can "unmask" or produce symptoms of such diseases.

- Follow your health care provider's advice about medicines and about your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease. Seek medical care if your symptoms worsen.

Additional information is also available to help keep you prepared during wildfires.

Information adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Fact Sheet on Wildfires found here.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://www.redcrosschat.org.

American Red Cross