Steering Clear of Smoke: Strategies for Inhaling Pure Air
In the face of wildfire events, ensuring clean and safe air becomes a top priority. Here are some expert recommendations for protecting yourself outdoors and improving air quality indoors.
**Outdoor Protection: Mask Up**
When venturing outdoors during wildfire season, it's crucial to wear masks that offer effective protection against fine particulate matter (PM2.5) found in wildfire smoke. N95 respirators, designed to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, are a good starting point. For extended exposure or heavy smoke, consider using P100 respirators, which provide 99.97% filtration efficiency and a better seal than N95 masks.
**Indoor Air Filtration: Upgrade Your HVAC and Portable Air Cleaners**
To improve air quality during wildfires, enhancing indoor air filtration is key. Start by upgrading your HVAC filters to MERV 13 or higher, as these can capture fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke when your heating or air conditioning system recirculates indoor air. Ensure the filters have the deepest pleats your HVAC system can accommodate to maximize filtration.
In addition to upgrading your HVAC filters, using portable air cleaners with true HEPA filters is beneficial. These devices remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, effectively capturing wildfire smoke particles. Look for units with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that matches or exceeds the size of the room you'll use it in to maximize effectiveness.
Recommended models include electronic air purifiers such as the "Austin Healthmate Plus", which combine true HEPA filtration with additional layers that also eliminate viruses, bacteria, VOCs, and odours. Avoid ozone-producing devices like ozone generators or ionizers, as ozone can be harmful to respiratory health.
**Creating a Homemade Air Purifier**
For those who wish to create a homemade air purifier, a large fan and a MERV 13 or 14 filter can be used. Thicker filters, such as 20x20x4 (4 inch thick), may increase airflow. A well-fitted mask with a good filter material can also help block most PM2.5 particles.
**Stay Informed and Stay Safe**
To see the air quality in your area, check out the AirNow map. Remember, when it comes to wildfire smoke, you generally want a MERV 13 filter for home air filtration. When adding a filter to your central air, ensure it's installed correctly and covers the inlet vent hole completely. If the air quality is orange, you might start feeling the effects. If it's red or purple, you almost certainly will feel the effects.
Acknowledgements go to Jim Rosenthal of Tex-Air Filters, Richard Corsi, Jose-Luis Jimenez, Linsey Marr, Vladimir Zdimal, Adriaan Bax, and Kimberly Prather for discussions that have helped improve understanding of aerosol science. Stay safe and breathe easy during wildfire season!
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