Face Masks Protect You From Smoke

This article also originally appears on www.theinspirationedit.com

August through September 2020 saw some of the most devastating wildfires in recorded history engulf the West Coast in such heavy smoke that it blocked out the sun, causing orange skylines. California alone has seen 3 million acres burned, along with similarly massive tracts of land in Oregon and Washington.

As damaging as these wildfires have been to the land, there’s also the smoke released from the fire that causes massive air pollution, reducing the quality of breathable air. As such, people have been left wondering how they can best avoid inhaling the polluted air and guard their respiratory functions.

There’s also the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that needs to be considered in that the virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. A combination of these disasters has made the use of face masks somewhat compulsory in light of the health hazards they present to the North American populace.

What makes matters even more unfortunate is that face masks are in short supply and the ones available are desperately needed by healthcare workers in the frontline, fighting to save lives from the novel coronavirus.

We’ve created a guide below to help you understand the hazardous risk presented by smoke, who is most vulnerable, and what you should do to protect yourself.

When exposed to copious amounts of smoke, wearing a face mask might not be as effective. For a mask to effectively reduce smoke exposure, it must be able to filter small particles and it must establish a firm seal around the mouth and nose.

Common fabric masks (wet or dry) which are designed to filter out large particles offer little protection. The same is true for paper dust masks.

Surgical masks trap smaller particles than both paper dust masks and cloth masks. However, they are designed to filter the air coming out of the wearer’s respiratory system plus they do not provide an airtight seal to prevent inhalation of combustion gases or tiny smoke particulate matter.

There are certain situations, however, when mask use can be of great benefit. For outdoor workers, properly fitted masks such as the N95 mask can help prevent the level of smoke exposure. N95 masks can establish an airtight seal around the bridge of the nose to the chin thus covering the mouth and nose properly.

N95 masks are also designed to filter out 95% of tiny particles that are 0.3 micrometers in size or larger, hence the name ‘N95’. They are, however, a bit more costly as compared to other masks.

Health experts recommend that people use such kinds of masks in conjunction with other methods of exposure reduction such as staying indoors and using air conditioning systems to reduce general smoke exposure.

DANGEROUS ELEMENTS FOUND IN SMOKE

The composition of smoke is dependent upon the fuel type, windy conditions, and temperature of the fire. When it comes to wildfires, different compounds are released since wood and vegetation are composed of different amounts of tannins, lignin, resins, oils, fats, and other polyphenols that produce different compounds when burned.

But primarily, smoke is composed of water vapor, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other organic chemicals such as nitrogen oxides and trace minerals.

Particulate matter is the main pollutant of concern to the public. It’s a general term used to describe solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. Particles tend to be minute in size, less than a micrometer in diameter.

Particulate matter from wood and vegetation smoke has a size range close to the wavelength of visible light (0.45 – 0.75 micrometers). As a result, smoke particles reduce visibility by scattering light similarly to events that have been seen in Oregon and California.

However, that’s not the only concern related to particulate matter. Smoke particulate matter, when inhaled, can cause deep recesses of the lungs and are believed to cause great health concerns.

Another pollutant that poses a health risk to the public is carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas produced by the burning of wood and vegetation. Carbon monoxide levels are highest during the smoldering stages of a fire. Let’s take a look at the dangerous effects of smoke and who’s most vulnerable.

HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKE

Research has shown that smoke particulate matter, combined with other pollutants, are directly linked to increased mortality and aggravation of pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Additionally, exposure to high levels of particulate matter can cause wheezing, a persistent cough, and difficulty in breathing. Particulate matter can also affect the body’s immunity by making it hard for the respiratory system to get rid of inhaled foreign materials from the lung such as bacteria and pollen.

Carbon monoxide goes into the bloodstream through the lungs, limiting the oxygen delivered to the body’s organs and tissues. Inhalation of the carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, and reduced functional capacity. People with cardiovascular disease are most vulnerable as they may experience cardiac arrhythmias and chest pains.

Wildfire smoke also has varying amounts of respiratory irritants. Acrolein and formaldehyde are the two primary irritant chemicals that add to the cumulative irritant properties of smoke. People highly exposed to smoke also run a high risk of cancer among other long-term health impacts of exposure to wildfire smoke.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…

It wasn’t until a few months ago when wearing a face mask in public would bring about unnecessary attention to the wearer. Not shortly after, it became common practice for people looking to protect themselves and others from contracting the virus.

For some people, however, the use of masks has been the bane of their existence. But with the emergence of wildfires, it might seem imprudent to continue refusing to wear face-covering when out in public.

The effects of smoke inhalation range from reduced respiratory function as a result of irritation in the respiratory tract as well as exacerbation of pre-existing conditions such as bronchitis and asthma. As such, people must try and reduce their exposure to smoke as much as possible.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, access to N95 masks is limited. But if you can get your hands on an N95 mask, make sure it fits well such that it establishes an airtight seal over your mouth and nose. Anything other than that might be counterproductive.