Face masks have never been as widely used as recent times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All over the world, more and more people are getting used to wearing face masks, of different materials, to protect themselves as well as others from the virus. But are these face masks also protective gear versus wildfire smoke? Extraordinary wildfires continue to burn across parts of the US, particularly in Oregon, California, and Washington. This is what doctors have to say:
We all know that inhaling wildfire smoke is detrimental to our health…as well as painful for our lungs. It is definitely hazardous, and very unhealthy, you don’t need a doctor to tell you that. But, let us first examine the negative health effects of wildfire smoke, according to health officials. Effects such as trouble breathing normally, coughing, sinus problems, chest pains, irritated eyes, scratchy throat, irregularly fast heartbeat, runny nose, headaches, tiredness, and possibly asthma attacks. The Center for Disease Control or CDC points out that these would be the immediate effects of exposure to wildfire smoke. And prolonged exposure could inflame and damage your lungs by scarring and thickening. The hazardous fine particles can also make chronic heart and lung diseases much worse. It can also make you more susceptible to lung infections such as the coronavirus.
So can a face mask help? Well, the experts agree that some face masks, like the N95, will offer a bit of protection. This mask will filter out 95% of airborne particles, including the dangerous microscopic particles in wildfire smoke. The CDC explains that cloth face masks offer very little protection against wildfire smoke. While they may filter out the bigger particles and ash, the smaller and more harmful particles will still be inhaled. But it will help against the COVID-19 virus if proper social distancing is maintained, according to Dr. Casciari, pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California..
Most of the N95 masks have been reserved for the frontliners and health workers exposed to the coronavirus, so it may be difficult to get hold of one. However, Dr. Casciari explains that there is no completely safe mask, unless you have a self-contained respirator, which most firefighters are using. He also notes that you could opt for a KN95 mask, China’s version of the N95. Just know that the standards are not the same. Dr. Jonathan Parsons of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center agrees and had this to say,” There are some very subtle differences, but essentially they are equivalent in terms of protection from smoke exposure.”
Also, experts mention that you should buy these face masks from a trusted retailer. Mitchel Rosen Ph.D, associate professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health said, “a lot of KN95s have been reported as counterfeit, so they do not provide the protection for which they indicate.” In times of crisis, there will always be scammers and con-men trying to take advantage of situations to make a fast buck. Sad, but true.
Other ways to protect against wildfire smoke
So now we know that an N95 mask is the best option (if you could get one) to the expensive self-contained respirators, to protect against wildfire smoke. But there are also other ways to help lower exposure to wildfire smoke, if you live in an area plagued by the fires. The CDC recommends the following:
It goes without saying that you are better-off indoors with windows and doors closed.
Set your air conditioning units to recirculate air, and not pull it from outside.
Use a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter in rooms you stay in.
Do not exercise outdoors, you will be breathing larger quantities of air, and bringing it deeper into your lungs.
Avoid activities that create indoor air pollution, like frying food, using gas powered appliances, and vacuuming.
Dr. Casciari also emphasizes that you should always hydrate properly. Drinking lots of liquids helps your body create mucus, which can trap pollutants. “You want your body to keep making mucus. That’s one of the defenses that your lungs have.” He also mentions that staying indoors is really helpful. If you are outdoors, there is a simple sign when you should head back indoors. “If your eyes are burning from smoke, that means your lungs are burning too,” he says.
Hopefully the wildfires will be put out sooner than later. But at least now you have an idea how to protect yourself and your loved ones. The coronavirus will also soon disappear…just stay safe and be patient.
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