Wildfire smoke – air quality and health concerns

Smoke from wildfires or tobacco can damage the
lungs and aggravate respiratory conditions.

Officials are worried that the Colorado wildfire will burn all summer, and the airborne particles and chemicals from the wildfire smoke may affect people in regions far away.

Those with respiratory conditions such as asthma need to be careful about the amount of time they spend outside, especially exercising.

But even healthy individuals’ lungs can suffer from the irritants and toxins that can be found in wildfire smoke, doctors warn.

Exposure raises the risk of irritation and lung infections such as bronchitis.

Facts about fires

Wildfire smoke contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon, all known irritants to the respiratory tract.

If you can breathe the smoke in the air, it is already affecting you.

Older adults and young children are most vulnerable.

What you can do to protect yourself

Other than limiting time spent outside, there are many ways to minimize the risks of wildfires to human health.

• Have medications refilled and know how to use them properly
• Keep windows and doors closed
• For air conditioning systems, keep the fresh-air intake closed and keep the filter clean
• Avoid burning things indoors (candles, fireplaces, gas stoves)
• Limit vacuuming to avoid stirring up particles in the home
• Do not smoke
• Use an air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA to remove irritants, chemicals, odors, particles and other pollutants

Source: The Laramie Boomerang

Air purifiers for wildfire smoke

AllerAir's 5000 DXS

Keeping doors and windows closed is a great way to keep wildfire smoke out – but it also means indoor air pollution is allowed to stay or build up in the home.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for smoke feature a proven carbon + HEPA filtration system to remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants from the home or office.

For tobacco smoke as well as wildfire smoke, AllerAir’s 5000 DS provides the best protection and air filters.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Wildfires sweeping across southwestern United States, parts of Canada

Wildfires can spread quickly and cause air quality
concerns in vast areas.

The blazes affect air quality in nearby cities and regions

Historic drought conditions in the southwestern United States are providing the perfect conditions for dozens of wildfires to ignite and spread.

Firefighters last week were battling more than a dozen fires in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, California and Utah. But other parts of North America were also feeling the heat, with wildfires in Canada’s Ontario, Michigan and other regions.

Homes and people’s health are at risk from the fires themselves and the smoky haze that can affect the air quality for a long time.

According to the CDC, smoke from wildfires can hurt people’s eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

It may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

High winds help spread the particulate matter and gases from wildfire pollution, and make the fires even more difficult to control.

The fire season came early this year and has experts worried about what is yet to come.

Source: The Guardian

Air purifiers for smoke, smog and other types of pollution

During wildfire season, the air quality in vast areas across North America may be compromised by the gases and fine particles released in the burning process.

When the air quality outdoors is a problem, indoor air quality becomes even more important.

AllerAir has designed portable and highly efficient air purifiers for airborne chemicals, fine particles, gases and odors that can help reduce indoor air pollution quickly and around the clock.

Air purifiers like the AirMedic Series provide a 360-degree air intake, a deep-bed carbon filter for the removal of gaseous pollutants and HEPA filtration for fine particles.

The 5000 Exec and similar models also have been proven to be very efficient and reliable air purifiers for the home and office.

In especially smoky areas, AllerAir recommends an air purifier for (tobacco) smoke for best results.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

Experts warn of higher risk of wildfires this spring

Wildfires can quickly get out of hand.

Forest regions all across North America may be at a higher risk of fires as the climate warms, experts say.

Early spring is a particularly dangerous time in many areas, even in those that typically have a pretty low risk (including Vermont and nearby forest regions), since the snow and ice have melted, but new greenery has not yet come in to provide a dampening effect on the ground.

The exposed dried grasses and other vegetation can easily ignite and get out of hand, especially if the conditions have been atypically dry and if there are winds.

Some farmers are used to controlled burns to prepare fields etc, but these can also quickly spread. April used to be the worst month for wildfires, but with rising temperatures March has become the new time to be extra vigilant.

In our age of connectivity, at least many wildfires are reported early, so they cannot spread without anyone noticing.

Experts are asking people in these areas to follow these tips for reducing the risks:

• Don’t burn trash
• Never start fires without a burn permit (if applicable)
• For burning of yard trimmings, brush and organic material, surround burn pile with dirt or gravel and do not place them near structures, vehicles, power lines or heavy equipment.
• Keep water nearby
• Stay with the fire until it is out
• Keep grass around houses and buildings mowed to help reduce risk of brush fires

Source: Burlington Free Press

Protect your indoor air from wildfire pollution

Whether it’s in your area or somewhere else, wildfire season can become an indoor air hazard for many homes, since fire particles and other toxins tend to travel long distances.

Outdoor pollutants often find a way indoors, where they can build up over time and affect people’s health and well-being.

A high-quality air purifier with the right air filters can help reduce those particles and toxins and keep the air clean and healthy.

AllerAir has designed air purifiers for smoke, which contain a deep-bed activated carbon filter for smoke odors and chemicals, a HEPA filter for particles and dust and a tar-trapping pre-filter to prolong the other filters’ lifespan.

Recommended air purifiers:

• AllerAir’s AirMedic Exec with an 18 lb. carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA as well as superior particle protection with a 360-degree air intake
    
• AllerAir’s 5000 DS, one of the most proficient air purifiers with a 24 lb. carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA as well as a tar-trapping pre-filter

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

New Orleans swamp fires may fester for months

Swamp fire smoke makes its way into
nearby homes and affects residents.

Residents downwind of an underground marsh fire in eastern New Orleans have been feeling the effects of smoke exposure, as clouds of smoke periodically waft their way.

They reported wheezing and bouts of nausea due to the exposure, and said that the smell of smoke was everywhere in their homes.

The fires were at their height at the end of August 2011, when much of New Orleans was blanketed with heavy smoke.

Even with the National Guard and natural rainfalls dumping water on the area, the swamp fire continued to smolder and spread.

Now, five months later, smaller amounts of smoke still find their way into residents’ homes.

Wildfire smoke has been identified as a serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range.

These fine particles, which are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs. 

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Source: Nola

Keep smoke out from your home

While wildfires and underground swamp fires are not easy to control, homeowners can help protect their health and well-being by making sure their indoor air quality is as high as possible.

Since smoke particles and chemicals can make their way indoors through open windows, doors, cracks and other entry points, it’s important to ensure good ventilation and to use a powerful air cleaner that canhandle smoke toxins.

AllerAir has designed some of the most efficient air purifiers for smoke, with many pounds of activated carbon and HEPA to remove chemicals, particles, gases, odors and other irritants from the ambient air.

The AirMedic Series combines
powerful particle with chemical
filtration.

Here are some recommended air purifiers for smoke:

Air Medic + Vocarb
Our most efficient medical-grade HEPA unit for particles ( traps 99.97% of fine particles at 0.3 microns) coupled with a deep-bed, activated carbon filter for the treatment of  chemicals, gases and odors. Ideal for those living within close range of a wildfire zone.

5000 DS
AllerAir's "DS" models are air purifiers tailored specifically for smoke and odor relief. These exceptional air purifiers remove lingering smoke odors and harmful chemicals. They feature a deep-bed carbon filter, tar-trapping pre-filters and micro-HEPA filter for particles.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Wildfires may increase in Canada: Ecologists

Canada may see more and larger wildfires
in the future, researchers say.

Canada is blessed with large forest regions, but ecologists say these regions are about to experience rapid change.

They use models to show there are threshold values for wildfires just like there are for epidemics.

Because of climate change, many forest areas in Canada are fast approaching the threshold, meaning there may be wider swaths of forest areas being burnt and larger wildfires in general.

The researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the University of Michigan say that the strategies for wildfire management should be reconsidered.

In 2009, 11,000 people had to be evacuated and around 1,000 hectares of forest and scrubland went up in flames in British Columbia, a province in Canada.

This happened after several weeks of drought, and ecologists are debating whether climate change is to blame and poses a threat to forests across North America.

The researchers analysed data from the Canadian Forest Service on fires exceeding 200 hectares and found that three ecozones in Canada could be affected by larger wildfires: the Hudson Plains south of the Hudson Bay, the Boreale Plains in the mid-West and the Boreale Shield, which is the largest ecozone in Canada (it stretches from the mid-West to the East coast).

The ecologists say that even small changes in the climate can have a big impact on the size of fires.

Source: Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Air purifiers for wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke poses a very serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range.

These fine particles are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can cause serious damage over time. 

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Smoke can also travel far beyond the main burn zone. Studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

AllerAir's air purifiers for the home and office.

When wildfire smoke enters a home through windows, doors, cracks etc. it can lead to poor indoor air quality for its residents.

Suggested Air Purifiers include: 

Air Medic+ Vocarb – a very efficient air purifier for particles and chemicals; ideal for those living within close range of a wildfire zone.

5000 DS or 6000 DS – specialized units for smoke and harmful chemicals with a deep-bed carbon filter, tar-trapping pre-filter and micro-HEPA filter

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

More dust storms expected in Texas – keep your air filters in mind

Wildfires are a common side effect of
droughts and dust storms.

Texas may have gotten some rain lately, but the drought is far from over, and more dust storms could roll in any time, experts warn.

With more than 90 percent of the state in the extreme drought stage and a lack of vegetation on farmland, there is nothing that will prevent loose particles from flying up into the air, they say.

Effects of dust storms include:

• Loss of productive farmland
• Impaired visibility and dangerous driving conditions
• Higher risk of wildfires
• Respiratory conditions in vulnerable individuals

Recommendations on handling dust storms include being prepared for a dust storm, slowing down and stopping on the side of the road if a dust cloud rolls in and changing air filters in cars and homes regularly.

AllerAir has designed portable, powerful air purifiers for the home and office with activated carbon and HEPA that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants from the ambient air, including particles, dust, gases, chemicals, fumes and odors.

Worried about wildfires and the effect on the air quality? Check out AllerAir’s air purifiers for smoke.

Call us for more information.

Source: My West Texas

Texas wildfires threaten homes and lungs

Poor air quality is a dangerous
byproduct of wildfires.

Central Texas has been hit with out-of-control wildfires that are driven over the drought-battered land by strong winds, destroying hundreds of homes so far.

Firefighters have been battling the blazes non-stop since the beginning of the week.

At a news conference, Gov. Rick Perry described the disaster as "a monstrous storm of smoke and fire," adding that "this one is as mean-looking as I've ever seen."

Air quality suffers during and after wildfires

The scope of the damage may only become apparent over the next couple of days, but experts warn that there can be immediate and long-term health effects linked to wildfire smoke exposure.

While most people in the area will be most concerned about their homes and possessions at a time like this, it's important to keep health and well-being in mind, too.

“80% to 90% of wildfire smoke is made up of very fine particles that can stay suspended in the air for a long time and can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled,” says AllerAir’s Stephanie Bristow.

“Anytime there is an increase in this type of airborne particulate matter, studies have shown a link to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.”

Homeowners in nearby regions should also take precautions. Smoke can travel far beyond the main burn zone and studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

Remove wildfire smoke chemicals and particles with carbon + HEPA filters

Wildfire smoke travels far and wide and can easily enter homes and residences. Among the most vulnerable groups to wildfire smoke are children, seniors and those with sensitivities (chemicals and particles).

AllerAir's AirMedic+ Series
combines great particle filtration
with chemical and odor control.

AllerAir offers portable, powerful air purifiers with deep-bed activated carbon and HEPA that can remove a wide range of chemicals, odors, gases, fumes and particles from the ambient air.

Featured air purifiers for wildfire (and tobacco) smoke are:

• AirMedic+ Vocarb, featuring a medical-grade HEPA and a large activated carbon filter
• 5000 DS or 6000 DS, which have been designed for smoke and odor relief and feature special tar-trapping pre-filters, a deep bed of activated carbon and micro-HEPA filters for particle removal.

For more information and personalized recommendations, contact AllerAir today.

Related posts:

• Q&A: Air purifiers for wildfires
• Wildfires blaze in southern California (2008)

Wildfires: Homes with Air Purifiers New Norm in King, Snohomish and Pierce Washington Counties

Indoor Air Quality Experts at AllerAir have noticed an increased demand for air purifiers in Western Washington counties such as King, Snohomish and Pierce, as wildfires become the new norm in the area.

According to the state fire marshal, the three-county region of King, Snohomish and Pierce counties had 2,001 brush fires in 2007, compared to 2,566 in all of Eastern Washington.

“Ash, water vapor, and gases such as carbon monoxide are some of the effects of wildfires, and can irritate the eyes, nose, mouth and skin, but smaller particles can get into your respiratory system, and cause more serious complications,” said Indoor Air Expert, Sam Teitelbaum from AllerAir Industries. “Many residents from Western Washington are unaccustomed to wildfires and are taking proactive steps to ensure their indoor air quality.”

Residents living in King, Snohomish and Pierce Washington counties are invited to call (888) 852 8247 to speak to the Indoor Air Quality Experts at AllerAir for a no-obligation consultation on choosing an appropriate air purifier to combat the effects of wildfires.

Wildfires in Chelan and Douglas Counties Cause Air Quality Alert

Smoke from wildfires raging in the Chelan and Douglas counties in the state of Washington have caused the local Health District to issue an air quality alert. Residents with heart or lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema, along with children and the elderly, have been warned to avoid outdoor activity and remain indoors with windows and doors closed.

People who live in areas that have been affected by wildfires should consider furnishing their homes with an air purifier designed specifically to combat the dangers caused by reoccurring wildfires.

For more information on equipment designed specifically for wildfires, visit the AllerAir website to find out more about air cleaners designed with medical-grade HEPA technology that traps 99.97% of fine particles at 0.3 microns and deep bed carbon filters to adsorb gases, chemicals and tough smoke odor.