Protect Young Lungs From Wildfire Smoke August 6, 2024 As the blue skies of summer wane, a new normal seems to be wafting across the Willamette Valley and occasionally onto the Oregon Coast, that of the amber hued sunrises and red glow evening sunsets due to severe wildfire smoke. Although the dramatic sunrises and sunsets can be visually appealing, the impact on children and sensitive groups can be particularly worrisome when the smoke lingers on the valley floor and drops the air quality to unhealthy levels. “Babies, toddlers and young children breathe in more air relative to their size and they breathe faster than adults,” said Dana Salisbury, MD, who is also a mom and youth soccer coach. “Children tend to be more active when they are outdoors, so they are breathing more air. As a result, they inhale more smoke particles, and the particles can go down deep into the lungs and trigger inflammation.” Wildfire smoke contains a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that can be harmful when inhaled, especially for children. Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to a range of health issues for children, including aggravated asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function and an increased risk of respiratory infections. “Their airways are small, so it doesn’t take much inflammation to cause breathing problems,” Dr. Salisbury said. “Their lungs are still developing, so poor air quality can have a long-term impact on their growth and development.” Wildfire smoke can trigger asthma flares and make the flares more severe. It is important to maintain normal asthma medication routine and have rescue medications more readily available when the air quality is poor. “Any child who has had to stay overnight in the hospital for a lung illness in the past such as pneumonia, RSV or COVID, is at higher risk of negative impacts from smoke,” said Natalie Pexton, MD. Children are not the only population more vulnerable when the air quality is compromised due to wildfire smoke, this is also a concern for expectant mothers. “People who are pregnant also are more sensitive to wildfire smoke because the tiny smoke particles from the dangerous materials get into the blood stream of the mom and then can go into the baby and cause harm as they are developing,” Dr. Pexton said. Wildfire smoke has been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in full-term babies. “Pregnant women are considered a sensitive group when it comes to wildfire smoke exposure as 2.5 parts per million can cross the placenta,” Dr. Salisbury said. “Pregnant women need to check the air quality index and avoid smoke exposure. If you need to be out, limit your time and wear an N95 mask.” To protect the family, the first step is to stay informed about air quality conditions in the area. This can be done by checking local air quality reports and staying updated on any wildfire-related advisories and alerts. “If the Air Quality Index is above 100, it is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Active children and adults and people with respiratory diseases should limit their outdoor exertion,” Dr. Salisbury said. “If the AQI is above bove 150, it is unhealthy for everyone, and even greater protective measures need to be taken like keeping doors and windows shut.” It’s also important for parents to create a safe indoor environment for their children during smoky conditions. This can be achieved by using air purifiers with HEPA filters to help reduce indoor air pollution. Creating a clean air space at home can significantly reduce children’s exposure to harmful particles present in wildfire smoke. “If you must be outside, early mornings and around sunset are the best times as this is when ozone levels are lower and air quality is better,” Dr. Salisbury said. You can check the air quality index for the state or narrow down to a local region at https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/oregon.
