In 2022, the United Nations released a report concluding that climate change would ‘intensify a global wildlife crisis.’ Unfortunately, you don’t have to live close to a wildfire to be affected by one. For the past two weeks, several wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, in California killing at least 25 people and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
While firefighters do their best to control the flames, the smoke from these blazes has created a health crisis of its own by affecting the air we breathe, with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health stating “smoke impact from the Palisades Wildfire burning has caused unhealthy air quality in Los Angeles County.”
Wildfires Are Burning Up LA’s Air
With the raging wildfires in the Los Angeles area being breaking news, I’ve chosen to delve into the health risks that come with the blazes. That said, this article will touch on;
- The state of air quality in LA
- The link between wildfires and air pollution
- The dangers of air pollution
- How to protect the air you breathe as wildfires rage on
Is The Air in LA Dangerous?
Air quality has always been an integral part to our longevity, particularly because air pollution has been linked to a number of health conditions, ranging from lung infections to dementia.
Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles (PM2.5) that, when inhaled, can travel deep into our lungs and blood, raising the risk for many health concerns. As stated by May Lin Wilgus, a doctor and researcher at UCLA, to NPR,
“The exposure to the fine particulate matter, the air pollution, is similar to smoking a quarter to half a pack a day.”
The grave dangers of wildfire smoke are due to how it’s not just the small particles that you’re inhaling,
“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,” explained Dr. Brian Christman, a volunteer spokesperson for the American Lung Association, to AccuWeather.
Wildfire smoke has been linked to over 600,00 annual premature deaths globally and between 5,200 and 8,500 hospital admissions annually. This can be traced back to an increased risk for a range of, unsurprisingly, respiratory conditions like asthma and infectious bronchitis, but also stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
Who is most at risk?
Granted, anyone can experience the effects of wildfire smoke and poor air quality, but certain people do face a higher risk.
These groups include children, the elderly, smokers, pregnant people, and those with existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. While they are saving lives, first responders and firefighters can also be considered an at-risk group, as one 2019 study found that wildland firefighters’ repeated exposure to smoke increased their risk for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Are you breathing bad air?
If you’re being exposed to wildfire smoke, it’s quite easy to identify the effects that it may be having on your body. These symptoms include:
- Changes in voice
- Burning in the mouth and throat
- Eye irritation
- Runny nose
- Headache
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- An asthma attack
- Rapid heartbeat
Breathing easy
While social media is flooded with celebrities documenting their evacuations from their Hollywood mansions, not everyone has the resources to flee their neighborhoods. If so, there are ways to protect yourself and limit your exposure to wildfire smoke.
It’s advisable to stay indoors as much as possible and use air purifiers. If you do go outside, check your local air quality reports before doing so and then be sure to wear N95 or KN95 masks, and to avoid doing any strenuous exercises.
