Hey friends, I’m writing from Seattle, WA, where the air quality is bad and still going downhill because of all the fires raging in WA, OR, and CA. You are probably reading this because you, too, are in an area that just won’t stop catching fire, and the smoke/ash is starting to get to you in a bad way.
Below are tips I have developed from a couple years having really bad reactions to smoke/ash during fire season. I am an extremely sensitive, high-risk case because of preexisting health conditions, but the air is so bad at this point that it is likely bothering you even if you are generally healthy.
Before we dive in: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER TRYING SOMETHING IS SAFE FOR YOU, CALL YOUR DOCTOR AND ASK.
My advice all comes from internet research and trial and error over a couple years surviving fire season as a high-risk person. You may want to go over what the CDC says before you read my tips.
Disclaimers out of the way — let’s get to the tips.
— — — — — WATCH YOUR AIR QUALITY
I use an app called AirVisual, and I recommend everyone download it if you can. There are other apps out there, but it’s the one I trust.
If you’re also a pollen-sensitive person, I really like Pollen.com’s app Allergy Alert.
— — — — — PROTECT YOUR FACE & AIRWAYS
– If you just need to get to a car and back, or duck outside really fast, a wet rag over your mouth and nose will help protect your airways a little (but won’t help your eyes, unfortunately.)
– Cloth masks. I recommend Vogmask brand, but there are other options. Vogmask is on Amazon with one-day shipping if you need them fast. They are reusable and last for months of daily wear, or years of occasional emergency wear, which is why I always rec them first.
– Disposable paper masks. These are cheaper and usually available at hardware stores because people use them for painting/sanding/etc. The important thing to look for is an ALL-AROUND SEAL, so no air is coming except through the filter, and it should be labeled a “particulate respirator”, include the word “NIOSH” somewhere, and either “N95” or “P100” printed on it. This is IMPORTANT because it tells you it will filter the appropriate size particles to keep out the majority of ash.
– Half-face respirators. I trust the brand 3M. I own multiples because I have to wear them 24/7 when fires are like this. If you are extremely sensitive, GET A RESPIRATOR. I know they look scary and apocalyptic but they are far more reliably airtight than a paper or cloth mask. They’re fairly easy to find — you can get them at hardware stores and some department stores. You buy filters separately and attach them, so follow the same instructions as with the disposable paper masks. Filters should be N95 or P100, and if they say they protect from gases/vapors, EVEN BETTER.
– Goggles can help save your eyes from irritation. Anything from swim goggles to protective goggles from the hardware store that are flush with the skin all the way around the eyes.
Important notes: None of these solutions other than a heavy duty full-face respirator mask will save both your airways and eyes from toxic gas/vapors that come with fire, and I don’t have enough experience with them to confidently speak to that. This list of protective devices is mostly about cutting down inhalation as much as possible, not about completely comprehensive fixes.
Also, if you have difficulty breathing even on an average day because of asthma or a lung disease etc, I recommend the 3M respirators OR researching an electric filtration mask that feeds oxygen directly to you, because they do not require extra effort to breathe while you use them. With paper and cloth masks, there will be added resistance to taking a breath and that likely isn’t ideal for you.
— — — — — CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT
– I have HEPA air filters running in my house in every single room right now, at their highest setting. If you don’t stay much in one place, I recommend at least having one in the area you sleep.
