Risks.

Decreased air quality impacts the respiratory system, potentially making it difficult to breathe. Chemicals and even hazardous organic compounds in the air (including particulate matter) from smoke, or ash can introduce toxins or disrupt the cells in your airway and lungs. Ultimately, prolonged exposure, or any exposure to sensitive groups can lead to respiratory distress or cause certain forms of cancers.

Mitigate to avoid.

The best defense of decreased air quality and well sealed and maintained home or business. Officials will recommend to stay indoors, keep air conditioners and heaters off, and decrease the amount of time outside. The following activities will help maintain a home that can best seal against hazardous air quality.

• Maintain effective seals around windows, doors, vents, and roof penetrations.

  • Use flexible caulking products between windows, doors, vents, pipe penetrations and the trim or siding products.

  • Use flexible and non-combustive products for all roof penetrations

  • Install/maintain weather stripping where needed for proper seals with operable windows and doors.

• Consider installing/retrofit spray foam insulation in wall cavities, attics, and crawl spaces. Consult a professional installer for suitability to ensure proper installation.

• Install air filters on HVAC systems

  • Recommend ion and electric air cleaners

  • Retrofit HEPA filters (4”) thickness recommended

• Install directional dampers on all exhaust fans to keep exterior air from infiltrating through bath, laundry, or kitchen fans.

Prepare now.

Your preparedness measures should include items intended to help in the event of decrease air quality.

• Portable electric air cleaners (ion, electric, or HEPA) for use indoors.

• Humidifiers can help with indoor air quality.

• N95 mask for use when travel outside is needed.

• Masking/Painters Tape to tape window and door seals from the inside.

• Plastic Sheeting and Duct tape to seal larger wall penetrations.

During poor air quality.

If possible the best way to protect yourself is to leave or temporarily avoid areas of poor air quality. In some cases this is not possible. If the smoke is caused from a wildfire and the roads are congested with evacuees from higher level evacuation areas; postpone your trip to allow Level 3 “Go Now” evacuees access first.

• Stay inside and limit the amount of exterior “make-up” air needed within your home or business.

• If you are in respiratory distress, call 9-1-1.

• Reduce physical activity and do not engage in strenuous activities that can be deferred.

• Wear N95 mask when outdoors

• Limit number of times going in and out.

• Do not use candles, or sources of internal combustion. Limit use of essential oil vaporizers or incense.

Respond.

There is not much that can be done in active response to improve the air quality. There area few items that can be done to improve air quality.

• Check on neighbors and sensitive populations if you are capable of assisting.

• Limit use of internal combustion engines (i.e. limit driving and use of generators)

• Limit electrical use if electricity provided by neighboring coal or natural gas power plants.

• Use damp cloths or paper towels when cleaning interior surface, try not to re-suspend ash, dust, pollen, etc back into the air.

Recovery.

Eventually weather patterns will shift and sources of air pollution will subside allowing air quality to improve. Once air quality improves the following actions are commended.

• Wash down or wet wipe exterior surface that you use (chairs, fire pits, door handles, etc.).

• Water lawn or landscaping if it has not rained.

• Consider pressure washing or rinsing house siding and driveways.

• Wash car.

• Check building envelope seals.