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Your Health and Wildfire Smoke

Your Health and Wildfire Smoke

Climate change makes wildfire season worse. Hotter and drier conditions in North American forests mean that there is more dry wood and underbrush that can easily be ignited by a stray campfire spark or a lightning strike.

Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and small (or fine) particles that can harm your health if you breathe it. Everyone should avoid breathing wildfire smoke, and some people are more sensitive to it because of their age or pre-existing health conditions. Learn more about what’s in wildfire smoke at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) page, “Why Wildfire Smoke is a Health Concern.”

The MDHHS Environmental Health hotline is available for Michigan residents to ask health questions related to air quality issues. The number is 800-648-6942, and is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

 

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Who is more sensitive to wildfire smoke?

Being sensitive to wildfire smoke means that you are at greater risk of experiencing a health effect if you breathe it, and that the effect may be more severe.

  • People with heart disease (unusually sensitive).
  • People with lung disease, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (unusually sensitive).
  • Older adults (60 and older).
  • Children and teenagers.
  • Pregnant people.
  • Outdoor workers.

Additionally, social or economic situations may put some people at greater risk of harm from wildfire smoke. Examples include people without housing; people with limited mobility; people with low income who cannot access protective equipment or air filtering equipment; and people that live in areas with lower air quality.

Also, exercising or working outdoors increases the chance for harm, even if you are in good health. This is because the faster and deeper you breathe, as you would with exercise or physical labor, you increase the amount of wildfire smoke you take into your body. Likewise, the length of time you are outside increases the amount of smoke you are exposed to.

The health effects of wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can harm you in multiple ways. The health effects from breathing in wildfire smoke can range from stinging eyes, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Serious health effects can include triggering of asthma attacks and heart failure that can lead to premature death.

Learn more about who is sensitive to smoke and why at the EPA’s webpage, “Who is at greater risk to the effects of wildfire smoke?”

Guidance for air quality index: learn how to reduce your risk

The Air Quality Index (AQI) can help you to make decisions about how to protect your health at different levels of air pollution.

Know your risk:

  • Check airnow.gov to know your local air quality.
  • Sign up for email air quality alerts through the EnviroFlash system.
  • If you have asthma or another lung disease or cardiovascular disease, follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and about your respiratory management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen when the AQI is Orange, or “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, or above.

Stay indoors – this is the most protective option when air is unhealthy for you:

  • Close windows and keep outside doors shut.
  • Run air conditioning.
    • If your air conditioner has a fresh air option, close the intake. Use an air filter in your HVAC system (rated MERV-13 or better).
    • It is okay to use window air conditioning units. They should have:
      • tight seals between the unit and the window, and,
      • a recirculation mode that prevents pulling in outside air.
      • Learn more about adjusting your air conditioner at EPA's Indoor Air Quality webpage.
  • Use an air filter (rated MERV-13 or better) to capture fine particles from smoke.
  • If you do not have air conditioning or an air filter consider setting up a "clean room" where levels of smoke and other particles are kept as low as possible.
    • You can create a temporary air purifier with a 2012 or newer box fan and attaching a MERV-13 or higher air filter to it. Information is available at EPA's page on Do-it-Yourself Air Cleaners.
  • Avoid activities that create pollution such as frying foods, sweeping, burning candles, vacuuming and smoking tobacco or other products.
  • Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby. Or consider spending time in an air-conditioned public place such as a library, mall, movie theater, etc.

If you must be outside:

  • Consider using a mask. The best mask to use is a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.” If those are unavailable or do not fit well, KN95 and KF94 respirators are an option. Learn more at bit.ly/EPA-masks.  
  • Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard.
  • Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.
  • If you can, reschedule an activity to be outdoors when air quality is better.

For those with heart and lung conditions, including asthma

People with asthma and other heart and lung conditions can prepare to protect themselves by keeping N95 masks on hand and having at least one room in the house that has an air filter. This page on Asthma Action Plans can also help to prepare. Visit the MDHHS Asthma Interventions page for more information. 

For outdoor workers

See the OSHA National News Release for Employers for more information on outdoor work: https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/06092023

Guidance for air quality index categories

The Air Quality Index, or AQI is a color-coded way to see the levels of some types of air pollution, such as particulate matter (PM) and ozone. The higher the AQI, the worse the air quality is and the more cause for concern. The tables below are based on guidance from EPA and are related to air quality for particulate matter.

Air quality guide for particle pollution -- health considerations for everyone including sensitive populations: 

PDF Version of Table: Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Guidelines for Everyone: Modifying Indoor and Outdoor Activities

Air Quality Index Recommended Actions to Protect Health

Green
Good (0-50)

green box
  • Everyone can enjoy being outside.

Yellow
Moderate (51-100)

yellow box
  • Most everyone can enjoy being outside. For those who are unusually sensitive* to fine particles from wildfire smoke, monitor for symptoms** and consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense.

Orange
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)

orange box
  • People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, pregnant people and children should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
  • Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV 13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality. If possible, close the outdoor air intake on air conditioners.

Red
Unhealthy (151-200)

red box
  • Everyone should reduce long or intense outdoor activities. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, pregnant people and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors.
  • Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality. If possible, close the outdoor air intake on air conditioners.
  • Masks*** are recommended for children, pregnant people and other sensitive people while outdoors.

Purple
Very Unhealthy (201-300)

purple box
  • Everyone should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and reschedule or move all outdoor activities indoors, if possible. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, pregnant people and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low.
  • Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality. If possible, close the outdoor air intake on air conditioners.
  • Create clean-air rooms where children and other sensitive people can stay and be further evaluated if needed.
  • Masks*** are recommended for all people if they must be outside.
  • If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you are recommended to seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.

Maroon
Hazardous (300+)

maroon box
  • Everyone should seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low..
  • Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality. If possible, close the outdoor air intake on air conditioners.
  • Create clean-air rooms where children and other sensitive populations can stay and be further evaluated if needed.
  • Masks*** are recommended for all people if they must be outside.
  • If you are unable to stay inside your own house, you are recommended to seek a temporary shelter location that has clean indoor air.

*Unusually sensitive may include those with asthma, other respiratory conditions or heart conditions.

**Symptoms could include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or burning in nose, throat and eyes.

***Masks: During a wildfire smoke event, the best place to be is inside with good air quality. If you cannot avoid wildfire smoke, use an N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.” The respirator should fit tightly, collapse as you breathe in and not let air in from the sides. If N95 or P100 respirators are not available or do not fit well, properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter. Medical or surgical masks are the least effective option and should only be used as a last resort. Cloth, paper masks and tissues will not filter out wildfire smoke. Do not use masks for children under age 2.

 

Air quality guide for particle pollution -- schools, daycares, and other outdoor activities: 

PDF Version of Table: Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Guidelines for Schools: Modifying Children and Youth Activities

Air Quality Index

Guidance for Schools, Daycares, Outdoor Activities

Green
Good (0-50)

green box
  • Everyone can enjoy being outside.

Yellow
Moderate (51-100)

yellow box
  • Children who are unusually sensitive* to air pollution could have symptoms.** Monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess and other physical activities.

Orange
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)

orange box
  • Limit time children spend outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke. Monitor for symptoms** during outdoor recess and other physical activities.
  • Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
  • If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hat and the school does not have an HVAC system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.***

Red
Unhealthy (151-200)

red box
  • Exercise indoors or limit vigorous outdoor activities to a maximum of 15 minutes. Monitor for symptoms** during outdoor recess and other physical activities.
  • Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
  • If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hat and the school does not have an HVAC system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.***
  • Children and pregnant people could wear a mask**** for protection while outdoors.

Purple
Very Unhealthy (201-300)

purple box
  • Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal. Monitor for symptoms** during physical activities.
  • Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
  • If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hat and the school does not have an HVAC system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.***
  • Masks**** are recommended for all people if they must be outside.

Maroon
Hazardous (300+)

maroon box
  • Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal. Monitor for symptoms.**
  • Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
  • If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hat and the school does not have an HVAC system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.***
  • Masks**** are recommended for all people if they must be outside.

*Unusually sensitive children may include those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

**Symptoms could include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, and burning in nose, throat and eyes.

***School operations: Consider closing some schools if it is hot and the buildings don't have air conditioning (making it unsafe to stay inside with windows closed).

****Masks: During a wildfire smoke event, the best place to be is inside with good air quality. If you cannot avoid wildfire smoke, use an N95 or P100 respirator marked with “NIOSH.” The respirator should fit tightly, collapse as you breathe in, and not let air in from the sides. If N95 or P100 respirators are not available or do not fit well, properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter. Medical or surgical masks are the least effective option and should only be used as a last resort. Cloth, paper masks and tissues will not filter out wildfire smoke. Do not use masks for children under age 2.

 

Guidance for health care providers:

How to sign up for alerts

You can sign up for alerts through the EnviroFlash system. This subscriber system allows you to choose the area you would like to get alerts for. The system will send the alert directly to your email.

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