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@luckytran@med-mastodon.comHow to protect your health from wildfire smoke:
Evacuate if active fire is too close
Wear a high quality mask with headstraps; N95s are great, P100s are most protective
Stay indoors, and close your windows and doors
Run air purifiers on high to filter smoke that seeps inside
On masks:
N95 and P100 masks can be found at hardware stores and pharmacies
A tight seal is key, these masks will have two straps that
go around your head
N95s will protect against ash and particles in smoke; P100s will additionally protect against toxic gases (check labels)
On staying indoors:
Close windows and doors, but make sure you can escape easily if needed
Stay cool; run fans, use AC in recirculation mode
Run a HEPA air purifier or HVAC with high-efficiency filter (MERV 13+)
Avoid activities that create smoke or other particles indoors
Particle pollution represents a main component of wildfire smoke and the principal public health threat.
Particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, where they can cause respiratory problems and increase risk of heart attack, stroke, lung cancer and more.
Toxic gases are also produced by wildfires and can be dangerous to health.
Carbon monoxide dilutes rapidly, so presents most danger for those in very close proximity to the wildfire source.
Ozone is not emitted directly, but forms in chemical reactions as smoke moves downwind.
Sources:
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/protect-your-lungs-from-wildfire-smoke-or-ash.pdf
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/how-to-create-a-clean-room-at-home.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/why-wildfire-smoke-health-concern
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/wildfire-smoke-guide-revised-2019-chapters-1-3.pdf
@luckytran didn't even know p100 was a thing, thanks for the tip!!
@luckytran Correction: P100 is a better particle filter than N95, and is resistant to oil mists (P vs N designation - not a consideration for wildfires, but it doesn't hurt) [1].
It does not provide any gas protection whatsoever, only particulate. For that, you need something with an activated carbon layer. Ones sold for "odor removal" (like 3M 2097) are better than nothing, proper NIOSH rated organic vapor + acid gas + P100 cartridges in a half-face elastomeric respirator are best (e.g. 3M 60923 cartridges paired with a 6000 series face piece).
These will remove some combustion product VOCs etc, but do not provide any protection against carbon monoxide or insufficient oxygen (this isn't possible without a full SCBA). But unless you're inside a burning building or something, this is not likely to be a huge consideration (there's plenty of air around a wildfire it's just filthy).
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/respsourceTypes.html
@azonenberg @luckytran When we were interested with wildfire smile in Portland a few years back, I suffered quite a bit from sulfur dioxide (S02). Do any PPE filters (including industrial) address that?
@msbellows @luckytran Yes, any filter with an acid-gas rating like the 60923 I linked above should provide adequate protection against SO2 up to 10x (for half face) or 50x (for full face) the OSHA PEL.
See the full list of hazards and recommended filters for 3M PPE here
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/639110O/3m-respirator-selection-guide.pdf
@msbellows @luckytran Note that unlike particle filters, activated carbon filters (OV and/or AG rating) will absorb and react with contaminants from ambient air simply sitting around in atmosphere and thus degrade over time once the factory sealed package is opened, even if you're not actively wearing and breathing through it.
Storing them in a sealed plastic bag, clean (never used) paint can, etc. when not in use will probably extend shelf life to some extent, but I don't think there's any official test data on how much of an increase in lifetime you get in that state.
@msbellows @luckytran During the 2020 wildfire smoke-out around Seattle. First pic is close to true color and shows how orange the sky was, second one has a deceptively clear white balance.
This wasn't the worst the smoke got, but it was the day we got enough cabin fever we decided to go outside despite the smoke.
I'm in a 3M 6900 (large, full face) with 60923 OV/AG/P100, wife has a 6200 (medium, half-face) with 2097 (P100 + nuisance level OV) cartridges in this pic.
We both felt fine, it was a nice date walking around the park. Nobody else around for some strange reason. I wonder why?
(Assuming USA)
N- and P- series are particle filters, they don't offer protection against toxic gases - you need specific cartridge filters for that.
From:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-101/
"Note: To help you remember the filter series, use the following guide:
N for Not resistant to oil,
R for Resistant to oil
P for oil Proof
Selection of filter efficiency (i.e., 95%, 99%, or 99.97%) depends on how much filter leakage can be accepted. Higher filter efficiency means lower filter leakage."
@luckytran
If yer told to evacuate, LEAVE, Of my friends in Altadena they got out just as the embers were
blowin across the street last night.
My friends have last night evacuated from Topanga. The speed is numbing, please dont wait.
Looks like they may loose their homes in Topanga Canyon.
@stanleyHootzz @luckytran Ideally leave _before_ the evacuation order comes. That's one traffic jam that you definitely don't want to be part of.
@luckytran Some other folks have explained in more detail, but please edit this post to correct the point about p100s! It would be bad if someone thought they were protected from gasses when they weren't. Thanks!
@luckytran
Thank you Doc fer watching out fer our fellow man.
Prayers-n-Positive thoughts fer the Firefighters-n-ALL the first responders.
Lord I humbly beg-n-ask fer the Highest Good for all yer children affected in SoCal
Wildfires. Thank you Mom. Amen
@luckytran
To check that your air purifiers are working, it’s useful to have an air quality monitor that shows PM2.5
I bought this one from Amazon: