If you live in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, you know this year’s fire season has been a busy one. Fires are burning surrounding states, and in communities much closer to Boise, and that is having a significant impact on our air quality and could possibly affect your health.
The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. According to EPA.gov, if you are healthy, you’re usually not at a major risk from short-term exposure to smoke, but it is a good idea to avoid breathing smoke – both outdoors and indoors.
Generally, children, pregnant women the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular problems are the first groups affected by poor air quality.
How can you protect yourself and family and limit your exposure to the smoky air both outside and inside your home? Here are a few simple tips.
Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before you head outside.
· The AQI is calculated by the EPA and is used for reporting air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted the air is and what associated health effects may be a concern. The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
· If the AQI is high, rescheduling the activity may be the best course of action.
· We found a great outdoor activities guideline based in air quality at dphhs.mt.gov that may be of assistance when making decisions about outdoor activities and time limits.
Keep Your Windows Closed
· Try to keep the indoor air at home as clean as possible. Don’t open windows and allow the smoke and particles to affect the air in your home.
Take it Easy
· The harder you breath, the more smoke you inhale. No need to over-exert and breath in even more poor-quality air. Perhaps lower the intensity of your workout or postpone until the air quality improves.
Make adjustments to your in-home cooling systems or conditioners
· If you have a central HVAC system, determine if the system has a fresh air system and close it or turn it to recirculate mode.
· If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor damper.
· If you have a portable air conditioner with a single hose, typically vented out of a window, do not use it in smoky conditions because it can cause more smoke in the house.
· Tips with more details for this information can be found at epa.gov
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