Winter wood smoke can pose health hazard to many, health officials warn
Winter weather can create stagnant air that can trap air pollutants close to the ground posing a significant health hazard, particularly to those with asthma, heart disease and lung disease, Washington state health officials warn.
Woodsmoke, in particular, contains harmful gases and particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs especially when someone is engaged in strenuous activity such as yard work or running, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) warns in a health advisory released this week.
Breathing polluted air can cause short and long-term health problems. People with heart and lung diseases may have symptoms sooner than healthy adults. Older adults often have unrecognized heart or lung disease that puts them at risk. Children spend more time outdoors, where they can breathe air pollution. Children’s lungs are more easily damaged because they’re still developing.
Click on to jump to Puget Sound Clear Air Agency
The Department urges everyone to check the air quality before engaging in strenuous outdoors activities.
Often air pollution can’t be seen or smelled, so it’s hard to judge air pollution levels. Be sure to check air quality before taking part in outdoor activities, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
The Department of Ecology and the American Lung Association provide air quality information online, using color codes to indication ranging from good (green) to hazardous (maroon).
Plan outdoor activities for days when air quality is in the “good” or green zone, the Department of Health says.
To learn more:
- Information on air quality conditions (https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/Default.htm) can be found on the state Department of Ecology Web site or online at one of seven local clean air agencies (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/local.html).’
- Updates on air quality are available by subscribing to the American Lung Association of Washington “Breathe Easy Network” (www.alaw.org/air_quality/e-forecast_service).
- You can learn more about how air quality conditions can affect your health by reading the Smoke Fact Sheet and what to take into account when you plan outdoor activities by reading Consider the Air available of on the Department of Health’s Web site.
PHOTO CREDIT: Francisco Belard
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It is ridiculous to impose a burn ban in the name of “protecting the public health” when it is 18 degrees outside. Do these unelected officials have even a grain of common sense among them? Apparently is it better to freeze to death than to have a tiny amount of particulate matter in the air.
I am glad that I can check the air quality online tho. After all, I obviously can’t trust myself to walk outside and take a deep breath.
This is the nanny state run amok.
Burn bans do not include people whose only source of heat is a wood-burning stove.
Every year in the US, 5000 people die of asthma and hundreds of thousands have to be cared for in a hospital. The last time air pollution sent me to the hospital with an asthma attack, it cost me almost $1000 after insurance paid.
Sure – kill off all those people wih heart and lung diseases! But don’t wonder why your insurance premiums are so high.
This is not a nanny state issue, it is a life-or-death issue for many of your fellow citizens.
what about the pleasure of a fireplace? Can that smoke trigger a MRSA attack? Please answer, someone. My friend almost died, and they could not figure out what was the matter….but she had MRSA beginning a couple of years ago.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s illness.
MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a bacteria that is resistant to many commonly used antibiotics and can therefore be difficult to treat.
MRSA usually causes skin infections, but it can spread to other parts of the body. MRSA is not, however, spread by wood smoke.
Below are some resources where you can read more about MRSA.
Hope this helps.
National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus information page on MRSA, which includes many links to other resources.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases MRSA information page.
Public Health – Seattle & King County’s MRSA information page
“MRSA is not, however, spread by wood smoke.”
This is partially correct. But research shows that acrolein (allyl aldehyde) a component of wood smoke and tobacco smoke, can impair the lungs’ immunity response. Therefore the average person’s risk of contracting respiratory illness is up to five times more likely than normal, when exposed to smoke.
It is not the smoke itself which causes H1N1 or TB, but the chemical constituents within, which dampen the body’s chances for fighting off the pathogens. Stay away from all second-hand smoke, of any type, if you wish to remain healthy.
W
Thanks for your comment. You’re quite right that air pollution can both cause or contribute to lung disease and increase risk of infection. (It was hard to comment on Sandi’s note because she did not provide detail about the nature of her friend’s illness, such as pre-existing conditions, etc.–thus a more general response.) – Michael McCarthy