Air quality concerns: The dangers of inhaling wildfire smoke
As wildfires rage across the Los Angeles region of Southern California, exposure to the harmful, heavy smoke as its carried miles away can take a toll on millions of residents.
Fire-damaged vehicles are burned out at a dealership in Altadena, California, on January 8. (Photo Credits: Ethan Swope/AP via CNN Newsource)
Thick, wildfire smoke is blanketing the Los Angeles area as several wildfires rage out of control. The massive plumes are causing dangerous air quality for a huge area. The powerful winds that fanned fires are also sending unhealthy smoke pollution miles away from the fires, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Air quality alerts are in place across much of the area, with many neighborhoods exposed to “unhealthy” levels due to the fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke. The alert impacts Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Valley and the Los Angeles County coastal areas.
"An air monitor on North Main Street in Chinatown recorded the highest hourly level of fine particulate pollution in the region on Jan. 8, at 483.7 micrograms per cubic meter. The federal limit for daily average concentrations is 35," the LA Times reported Wednesday.
Satellite images from Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo credit: NASA)
Satellite images from Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo credit: NASA)
You don’t have to live close to a wildfire to be affected by one. While flames can be deadly, the smoke can pose serious health threats ranging from irritated eyes to heart and lung problems. Wildfire smoke contains very tiny particulate matter, or 2.5 micrometers in diameter – the tiniest pollutant, about 1/20th the width of a human hair, yet also the most dangerous. When inhaled, it can travel deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“We had to evacuate,” said Tony Espinoza to KSNV. “We left in a hurry. We only had a few hours to pack. My neighbors were still in their houses. We couldn’t breathe anymore. We had all the filters going in the house, the HEPA filters and nothing seemed to work.”
“Anytime you talk about smoke inhalation, it’s a potentially a life-threatening situation,” said Dr. Andrew Ordon, an ENT specialist and general surgeon.
More than 2,000 people each year succumb to the effects of wildfire air pollution, research shows.
Researchers who examined the health impacts of U.S. wildfires from 2008 to 2012 found that up to 8,500 people are sent to the hospital with smoke-related respiratory issues annually.
Dr. Lisa Patel, with the Stanford School of Medicine, details how you can protect yourself from the dangers of wildfire smoke in California and across the country.
“If you inhale too much smoke, it can lead to respiratory failure and you’re not exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide the way you’re supposed to,” Ordon said.
When the result of burning trees and grass is inhaled, a person is breathing in more than just smoke and ashes. Toxins and fumes are added to the harmful mix when other things burn, like plastic from house fires.
“If you’re close to the fire, you’ll be exposed to carbon monoxide, which poisons your red blood cells and interferes with oxygen uptake, [as well as] nitrogen dioxide, which dissolves in the airway lining fluid to generate a powerful acid that hurts small airways,” said Dr. Brian Christman, a volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
Of particular concern is the inhalation of the tiny particulate matter, Christman said.
“These are small enough to be carried into the alveoli, the tiny air sacs of the lung,” he said.
This can significantly increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Dino Tashjian, a 64-year-old mechanic and Altadena business owner, told the LA Times the air was making him sick.
“Don’t breathe this air. It’s not good at all. I’m having shortness of breath already. And with this weather, it’s bad. Very bad.”
Health impacts
A burned-out car sits among rubble, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
A person bikes through a burned out area as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Wildfire smoke can cause or worsen a number of health problems, including reduced lung function, infectious bronchitis, asthma and heart failure, according to the EPA.
“When you’re breathing things in, before they get to the lungs, you’re affecting all of your upper airways – your nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat and vocal cords,” Ordon said.
Sinus trouble and increased cough can also occur. Children, the elderly and people with certain pre-existing conditions, including congestive heart failure, cystic fibrosis and allergic rhinitis, are particularly at risk.
Air quality is a major concern during a wildfire. Having access to air quality information, wearing a mask and staying indoors are some of the ways to protect yourself.
“If somebody has underlying respiratory problems, like asthma, emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and if you’re a smoker, these people get into trouble quickly because they already have a compromised respiratory and pulmonary function,” Ordon said.
Recognizing the symptoms
Wildfire smoke’s impacts on the human body can present themselves in a number of ways and can lead to chronic health issues.
“Look for changes in your voice and burning in the nasal cavity, the mouth and the throat, which would indicate that you are getting exposure that is irritating the lining of your airway,” Ordon said.
Other symptoms include:
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• An asthma attack
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Eye irritation or stinging eyes
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Tiredness
Those with heart disease and respiratory issues will likely experience worsening symptoms including tiredness, coughing or wheezing. Experts advise anyone experiencing such symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
How to stay safe
To minimize the threat of wildfire smoke, it is recommended that those in impacted areas remain inside with doors and windows shut to keep the polluted air outside.
Drivers are also advised to keep windows closed and set the air conditioning to recirculate mode. Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if you have other methods to stay cool
Wearing the appropriate mask is crucial, because not all masks will prevent wildfire smoke inhalation.
“There are a lot of good, high-quality masks available,” Ordon said. “Make sure that it’s one that is high grade and has a rating system that will keep the majority of particles and smoke filtered out.”
Appropriate masks include N95 or KN95 masks. Dust masks are not recommended.
Keeping an eye on local air quality reports and using an air filter in your home will also help reduce the risk of smoke exposure.
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