A EPA downgrade from serious to severe violator will require implementation of several new measures aimed at reducing air pollution;
- Gas stations in the Northern Front Range will need to sell cleaner-burning gasoline, with this change expected to take effect in summer 2024.
- The rules for when a business needs a permit and must control emissions will be stricter, affecting nearly 500 new businesses.
- Existing businesses with permits will also face tougher requirements. As a result of these changes, there will be more resources for staff, monitoring equipment, and pollution reduction programs.
During events of poor air quality, everyone is susceptible to health impacts, but children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions, are most vulnerable. Common short-term health effects include:
- Eyes, nose, and throat irritation
- Shortness of breath, decrease in lung function
- Asthma and other existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions worse
- Increase in Emergency Room and Urgent Care visits
Prolonged and repeated exposure to poor air quality can result in:
- Respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke
Precautions you can take to protect yourself during poor air quality events:
- Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) for your area before going outside:
- If able, stay indoors and keep windows closed. Be sure to keep indoor air clean by avoiding additional indoor pollutants from burning candles and incense, vacuuming, using aerosol cleaners, air fresheners and personal products.
- Reduce time outdoors
- Avoid strenuous activity
What are the concerns with wildfire smoke?
- Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles that can cause a number of breathing and respiratory issues.
- The primary concern with wildfire smoke is fine particulates
Are N95 masks effective at protecting me from smoke?
- The best solution is to remain indoors and provide high-efficiency air filtration, but if you must be outside a tightly fitting N95 or P100 respirator can provide some benefit.
Who is sensitive to wildfire smoke?
- People with lung disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or current or recent respiratory infections.
- People older than 65 due to increased risk of lung disease or younger than 18 with lungs still developing.
- People who smoke.
- Outdoor workers with higher exposures.
What should I do to protect myself from smoke?
- Stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
- Relocate to areas less impacted by smoke.
- Avoid using air conditioning units that are not effective at filtering smoke from the outside air, including simple window AC units or those without high-MERV filters. For best results, upgrade AC filters to high-MERV filters (MERV-13) or use room air purifiers in addition to AC.
- Put HVAC systems into recirculate mode to reduce bringing in additional smoke.
- Use a portable air cleaner (preferably in each occupied room) set to the highest speed to filter indoor air.
- If you do not have a portable air cleaner, you can build a "do it yourself" version based on a box fan and furnace filters:
- Avoid strenuous activities to reduce breathing in smoke.
- If you must be outside, an N95 mask or P100 respirator that fits tightly may provide some benefit.
- If driving during a smoke event, use the Recirculate Air button in your car.
What if I don’t have air conditioning and it’s too hot to keep doors and windows closed?
- Set HVAC systems to recirculate mode to reduce bringing in additional smoke.
- If it's too hot inside, consider going to an air-conditioned public place like a library or shopping center for temporary relief.
- Use a portable air cleaner (preferably in each occupied room) set to the highest speed to filter indoor air.
- If you do not have a portable air cleaner, you can build a "do it yourself" version based on a box fan and Merv 13 furnace filters:
What can commercial buildings do to improve indoor air quality?
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- Run HVAC systems on recirculate mode and limit intake of fresh air into the building.
- Upgrade filters on HVAC systems to higher efficiency models, MERV 13 or higher.
- Consider using low-cost sensors to monitor indoor particulate matter to measure the effectiveness of filters and HVAC systems.
Where can I get information on smoke levels in my area?
- The AirNow Fire and Smoke Map shows the areas impacted by smoke as well as current particulate levels based on air quality monitors in the area.
- Fire and Smoke Map
