Wildfires Worsen Air Quality in California
Ashes rain down from the sky, coating everything in an eerie blanket of grey. In the distance, plumes of black smoke bleed into the sky. The air smells charred, burnt like ruin. Its acrid stench clings to everything, a reminder that the earth is burning.
This is not the setting for a post-apocalyptic movie. It is not a scene from a dystopian novel or a feverish nightmare. This is the new normal for California during wildfire season.
According to the American Lung Association's (ALA) 2019 State of the Air report, seven of the 10 most ozone-polluted cities are in California, with Los Angeles being the worst. However, while poor air quality has long been a staple of life in California, frequent wildfires have further degraded the air quality.
In a guide published to help inform public health officials, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that wildfire smoke is made up of thousands of individual compounds, including particulate matter, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide. According to the guide, "particulate matter is a generic term for particles suspended in the air, typically as a mixture of both solid particles and liquid droplets." Larger particles may cause irritation in the mouth, nose, and throat, while smaller particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks.
In addition to eye irritation and cough, breathing in smoke can also cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, difficulty breathing, pulmonary inflammation, and bronchitis. It can also exacerbate respiratory illnesses, such as allergies and asthma.
Santa Monica College (SMC) student Alex Muñoz explained how the poor air quality negatively affected his well-being. "I got the worst allergic reaction … I've been sneezing the past weeks because of the fires," he said.
Fellow student Kirsten Cooley added, "I've developed a raspy cough and it has not gone away regardless of the medication I've taken for it. I believe it's because of the air."
Other students voiced their frustrations on Twitter, with many of them criticizing the college for keeping campus open during the Getty Fire. Grace Panosian wrote, "Currently on SMC campus and there is a very large and noticeable amount of smoke right above us. And the air just smells very heavily of smoke. Please don't make us breathe this in all day."
While wildfire smoke negatively impacts everyone, certain members of the population are at greater risk.
In a press statement released by the ALA, Dr. Sonal R. Patel, a pediatric allergy specialist practicing in Los Angeles, stated, "Children, seniors, people with asthma and lower income individuals face greater risks due to unhealthy air, which can cause asthma attacks, respiratory and cardiovascular harm, and even early death. Cleaning up our California's air is vital to all our health."
According to numerous health officials, the best protection from smoke is to remain indoors. Dr. Eric Kleerup, a pulmonologist at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, said, "It's important to use common sense. If it looks smokey outside, or if you see ash or soot in the air or on your car, stay indoors with the windows and doors closed."
Given the length and frequency of wildfires in California, it may not be feasible for everyone to remain indoors when air quality is poor. When venturing outdoors, experts suggest wearing a respirator.
The ALA, however, cautions that paper dust masks, the kind commonly used to protect from large particles such as sawdust, do not offer suitable protection from smoke. Masks must be able to filter tiny particles and must create an airtight seal around the wearer's nose and mouth.
Appropriate masks are marked with either "R95," "N95," or "P95." According to the ALA, "soft masks with higher ratings (R, N or P99 and R, N, or P100) are also available and will filter out even more particles."
As California's air quality continues to worsen, citizens need to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.
"It's also important to pay attention to your health," Dr. Kleerup said. "If you're experiencing symptoms from smoke exposure that aren't going away, you should seek medical care."