The Los Angeles wildfires have caused a devastating loss of homes and lives — and survivors may also face hidden, though still potentially very dangerous, health effects.
Forest fire smoke contains a “complex mixture” of fine particles that can pose a hazard after only short-term exposure, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Known as PM2.5 or particulate matter, these microscopic particles and droplets are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter.
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“Your nose and mouth are entry points into your body,” Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, a pulmonologist from Florida with extensive experience in respiratory health and air quality.
“The smoke you inhale gets trapped inside your sinuses, and if you are exposed a lot, some of it will start to irritate the mucous membrane and lead to inflammation,” warned the doctor. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (AP Newsroom)
“The smoke you inhale gets trapped inside your sinuses, and if you’re exposed a lot, some of it will start to irritate the lining and lead to inflammation,” he warned.
“These are signs that pollution can overcome the body’s natural defenses.”
Austin Perlmutter, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician in Seattle, noted that exposure to fire smoke can penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream.
Specific health effects
People exposed to air pollution can experience a variety of symptoms, including burning eyes, sore throat, cough, sinus problems, fatigue, headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing and brain fog, according to Perlmutter.
Prolonged exposure to fire smoke can also worsen existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and other chronic respiratory diseases, Ferrer pointed out.
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“Smoke can also worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions, e.g asthma or emphysema,” noted Marc Siegel, MD, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and senior medical analyst for Fox News.
“Also, lack of oxygen can cause a heart attack or stroke.”
People exposed to air pollution can experience a variety of symptoms, including burning eyes, sore throat, cough, sinus problems, fatigue, headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, and brain fog. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) (AP Newsroom)
Wildfire smoke is also linked to an increased risk of a number of diseases, including heart and lung problems and brain dysfunction, Perlmutter added.
Certain groups are at greater risk, he warned, including people with underlying heart and lung disease or other existing chronic diseases, as well as infants, small children and older adults.
“Smoke can worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or emphysema.”
There are also mental health effects, according to Siegel.
A 10-year study in the journal Nature Mental Health showed a “significant impact on the mental health” of Californians exposed to wildfires, the doctor noted.
“People may feel anxiety about displacement or fear of losing their homes,” Siegel said. “It can lead to them being unable to sleep.”
There is also an increased risk of falls and other injuries due to staying in damaged areas where fire devastation occurred, he added.
6 tips to protect your health in the midst of wildfires
Experts have shared the following steps people can take to reduce the health risks of fire.
1. Maintain nasal hygiene
Keeping yours nasal passages open and clean is important, emphasized Ferrer.
“Daily washing, or up to twice a day or regularly, using a saline nasal spray can help clean the filter that’s in your nose to be as efficient as possible,” he told Fox News Digital.
During periods of high smoke levels, it’s best to limit outdoor exposure and keep windows and doors closed, experts agreed. (Richard Vogel)
People can use pre-made saline or make their own at home with distilled water and salt, he said.
2. Stay indoors and optimize indoor air
During periods of high smoke levels, it’s best to limit outdoor exposure and keep windows and doors closed, Ferrer says.
Using a HEPA filter can also help improve it air qualityShah noted.
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“Invest in air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from fire smoke,” he suggested.
Shah also recommends using weatherstripping where necessary and changing HVAC filters at a higher frequency.
During the first few months of cleaning, the excess chemicals and particulates released can significantly worsen air quality. (iStock)
People may also want to minimize “indoors”. air pollution“, added Perlmutter.
“Do not light candles, fire or incense and do not smoke indoors,” he advised. “If you’re cooking, ventilate using a hood if you have one.”
3. Consider temporarily leaving the area
During the first few months of cleaning, excess chemicals and particles that are released can significantly worsen air quality, warned Dr. Darshan Shah, Ph.D. MD, board certified surgeon and founder and CEO of Next Health in California.
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“Consider moving temporarily to a safer area until conditions improve,” he recommended.
4. Wear a mask
When going outside, experts recommend wearing a tight-fitting N95 respirator mask to filter smoke particles.
When going outside, experts recommend wearing a tight-fitting N95 respirator mask to filter smoke particles. (AP Newsroom)
“Cloth masks, dust masks and other lower-quality masks probably won’t provide much protection,” Perlmutter said.
5. Monitor air quality
Experts recommend checking the AQI (Air Quality Index) regularly.
“Use apps or websites (such as AirNow) to monitor air quality and avoid outdoor activities when the AQI is unhealthy,” Shah said.
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6. Do not visit burned areas
“Avoid visiting recently burned areas as they pose a high risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and smoldering smoke, which can seriously affect the respiratory and overall health“, advised Shah.
