Residents in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been advised to limit their time outdoors to avoid the negative health effects associated with wildfire smoke.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
Raging wildfires in Western Canada have blanketed skies with acrid smoke, prompting air quality statements or warnings in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
Residents in these provinces were advised on Monday to limit time outdoors to avoid health effects. In the morning, Toronto’s Air Quality Health Index rating was more than 10, which is considered “very high risk.”
Poor air quality has pushed sports groups, summer camps and other organizations hosting outdoor events to reconsider their programming, with some cancelling or transitioning indoors.
With wildfires growing more intense and frequent, many Canadians are wondering about the short- and long-term effects of wildfire smoke on their health, in addition to how to protect themselves.
Where in Canada are there smoke warnings? Check our air-quality map
Sarah Butson, chief executive of the Canadian Lung Association, addressed these questions in an interview with The Globe and Mail.
Thick smoke from wildfires, particularly those threatening communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, is choking skies across Canada. Can you explain how wildfire smoke affects health?
For the average adult, you may experience some discomfort, some mild cough, some wheeze, maybe even a bit of difficulty breathing. But, for the one in five with lung disease, who know this all too well, the air that we breathe can really complicate their existing lung disease.
They may have an onset of their symptoms. It may trigger difficulty breathing, or even worsen their breathing altogether and ultimately lead to potential hospitalization and use of health services.
And what about the impact of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke, considering it’s becoming a frequent feature of Canadian summers?
We know that there is no real safe level of wildfire smoke.
We also know that we may be breathing different things in, so there may be smoke from wildfire, but there may be smoke from other contaminants that are getting burnt as part of that wildfire. One of the main considerations is particulate matter, often referred to as PM2.5, that can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream.
That’s really where we see the lead to potential various health issues and concerns – respiratory but whole body concerns as well from headaches all the way to cardiovascular and neurological concerns.
Wildfire season is upon us, and smoke is reducing air quality through swaths of the country. Environment Canada suggests people check the Air Quality Health Index daily to determine how much time to spend outside. Here’s how to interpret the index.
The Canadian Press
How can people protect themselves and their loved ones? For example, if a parent is debating sending their kid to an outdoor camp or soccer game when wildfire smoke is present, how can they navigate this decision?
Knowledge is power in this instance. And one of the greatest tools that we have at our disposal is utilizing the Air Quality Health Index.
If it’s a low risk, usually between a one and three, there’s no changes that need to be made. If it’s moderate risk between four and six, there might be some mild modifications. It’s when we start to get into that seven to 10-plus range where it’s strongly considered to make some changes in your behaviour – to cancel or reschedule outdoor activities.
If you can, stay inside at that moment where you’re seeing seven-plus and try to ensure that the quality of the air that you’re breathing indoors is as clean as it can be. If you do have to go outside, then we encourage folks to take precautions as needed. Maybe that means wearing an N-95 mask.
Having said that, for someone living with lung disease, that might differ. There might be one number that is an advisory for the general public, but if you know that you may be at higher risk of being triggered, then you may want to take action at a lower number.
For people who are more vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke, including those with lung conditions, are there other measures that can be taken to limit the risks?
It can be a scary feeling to walk outside and feel like you can’t grab that oxygen in the air around you. What we can do in these instances is arm ourselves with that information to make the best decisions that we can, to wear a mask, to check the AQHI, to check in with loved ones that you know might be within those vulnerable populations, to try to stay indoors.
Those who live with lung disease know how challenging a respiratory condition can make all of your day-to-day activities. Whether it be asthma or COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease], wildfires can be a great reminder that if you have an action plan, to keep that action plan up-to-date, to make sure that you’ve got your prescriptions filled as necessary, to really monitor and track how you’re doing.
This Q&A has been edited for clarity.
For more information on how to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke, read the Canadian Lung Association’s online guide.
What do you want to know about air quality?
Hundreds of wildfires have sent smoke across Canada and beyond this country’s borders this summer, and now smoke blanketing Toronto and the GTA is posing a “very high risk” to health. Are you constantly checking your weather apps, or just trying to figure out what the different alerts mean? Our health and science teams are trying to answer your pressing questions about air quality and how you can protect yourself, and we want to know what you want to know. Submit your questions using the form below or e-mail us at audience@globeandmail.com with “Wildfire smoke” in the subject line.