As if we needed something else to worry about… Even if you haven’t found yourself in the direct line of L.A.’s unprecedented string of wildfires, there’s an additional, insidious threat we’re all facing: dangerous air quality due to wildfire smoke, which UC research has found is up to 10 times more toxic than regular air pollution. Everyone—including those not in immediate danger from the fires—should take precautions to avoid smoke inhalation, both when outdoors and at home.
As soon as the Palisades Fire started on January 7, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a smoke advisory and declared that the air quality in Los Angeles County was unhealthy. And, thanks to those high winds we were dealing with, the wildfire smoke spread much farther than just the sites of the fires themselves.
If you’ve been getting your news from the local broadcast stations, you’ve probably seen maps tracking the area’s air quality, labeled by color and number, on the news. The air quality index (or AQI) is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s way of gauging outdoor air quality and health. The higher the index number climbs, the unhealthier the air. Specifically, anything below 100 is generally considered safe (yellow is fine, green is better). A number from 101–150 (orange) is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151–200 (red) is unhealthy for anyone; 201–300 (purple) is very unhealthy; and, finally, anything 301 or higher (maroon) is hazardous.
The agency takes five factors into account when determining air quality: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (a.k.a. particulate matter, this also includes PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles consisting of microscopic solids or liquid droplets. These are especially hazardous to your health because they can be inhaled deep into your lungs or potentially even your bloodstream, causing both short-term and long-term effects.
For up-to-date info on the state of the air in your area, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District for an interactive map (you can sign up here for air quality alerts). Another option is airnow.gov (they also have an app). Enter your address or ZIP code, and get an automatic air quality reading and a breakdown of the pollutants in your area. You can also look at PurpleAir’s crowdsourced map of air quality sensors, which may be stationed mere blocks from you; it’s worth noting, however, that these numbers may differ from official ones during extreme smoke events. The consensus is that these sources are preferable to using your phone’s Weather app, which was consistently skewing low last week when it came to air quality numbers, claiming the air was good or moderate in regions that South Coast AQMD deemed unhealthy.
Last Thursday, AQI numbers in the directly impacted areas of Pacific Palisades and Pasadena were in the mid-170s (unhealthy) range, Malibu’s were very unhealthy, and Catalina Island’s were at hazardous levels. This week, however, the map is telling a different story that’s left residents confused. Most if not all of the county is showing up in green on the map, with air quality measuring in the 30s. Great news, right?
While this no doubt it’s a huge improvement over the alarming numbers we were facing last week, there are some additional factors to consider. Air quality is constantly changing, so keep checking the levels in your area before you plan to be outside, and look at the detailed breakdown of air pollution to check the PM2.5 levels—which are particularly relevant when dealing with fires and smoke.
Most importantly, the AQI index only measures the five factors mentioned above. It doesn’t typically take into account other hazards including lead, arsenic and asbestos—all of which are considered carcinogens—that can be released into the air from burning homes and cars. There are several pollutants not actively being tracked right now that can cause serious long-term harm, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is particularly a danger for those returning to homes after a fire—they should be sure to wear gloves, eye protection and a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask. But even those not close to the Eaton or Palisades Fires should still take caution, as the airborne pollutants can travel long distances.
Even in the best of times, L.A.’s air pollution is a problem. According to the American Lung Association, of all metropolitan areas in the country, Los Angeles/Long Beach ranks No. 1 most polluted by ozone, No. 6 by year-round particle pollution and No. 11 by short-term particle pollution (a.k.a. where pollution from wildfire smoke would fall). And believe it or not, that’s actually an improvement compared to the city’s levels in 2000.
So, what can you do to avoid breathing in harmful pollutants from smoke and fire aftermath? Here are the Public Health Department’s recommendations:
- First off, check the air quality in your area.
- If you’re in a danger zone, stay indoors if at all possible. (Kids should especially be kept indoors, as their lungs are still developing.)
- When there is smoke outside, keep your doors and windows closed (when air quality improves, you can open them for fresh air to in turn reduce any indoor pollution).
- Make sure your air conditioner’s filter is clean, then run it on the recirculate setting, so it’s not pulling in smoke from outside.
- Avoid indoor activities that will worsen air quality, like smoking, lighting candles or incense, cooking with your gas stove, vacuuming, using aerosol sprays or wearing shoes inside the house, which can spread contaminants.
- Use an air purifier, or make your own with a box fan and an air filter (learn how here).
- When you clean, use a damp mop or cloth so you don’t kick up irritants, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- If you do have to go outdoors in smoke, limit your exposure time, avoid intense physical activity, and cover up with an N95 or P100 mask.
- Oh, and keep your four-legged friends indoors as much as possible.
Keep calm, follow these tips, and hopefully we’ll all be breathing easier soon.