Ep. 174: How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Health
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“Worst air quality in a lifetime for many,” read the Weather Network app for many North Americans recently. Residual smoke from the wildfires in northern Ontario and Quebec created serious air pollution, causing Environment Canada to recommend that we avoid strenuous activities and limit our time outside. So how does wildfire smoke and air pollution affect our health, what can we do to protect ourselves, and are there ways to counteract the health effects of wildfire smoke?
Here, the Eat Move Think team breaks down the air quality situation in Canada, with the help of Medcan respirologist, Dr. Chris Chan, and wildfire smoke expert Dr. Stephanie Holm of the University of California, San Francisco.
LINKS
Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index for many Canadian cities is here. The U.S. measures air quality in a slightly different way. Here’s info about that method, and here’s the Air Quality Index for many U.S. cities.
Dr. Stephanie Holm's bio. Here’s another spot Dr. Holm discusses the health effects of wildfire smoke.
Check out the helpful resources about wildfire smoke created by Dr. Holm and her team.
Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology
Dr. Holm suggests that you check the smoke pollution level in your area by visiting this Fire and Smoke Map.
Read a 2018 report on the air quality analysis from the deadliest wildfire in California history, mentioned by Dr. Holm.
INSIGHTS
02:45 How does wildfire smoke affect our health?
05:15 What happens to air pollution after we breathe it in?
6:03 The difference between inhaling smoke from a campfire and breathing in wildfire smoke.
8:00 Hear what you can do to mitigate the health effects of wildfire smoke, both in and outdoors.
11:16 How is the air quality indoors different from the air quality outdoors?
13:52 Who needs to be the most careful during a wildfire smoke event?
15:41 Which conditions are diseases could we be at risk for when we inhale wildfire smoke?
17:41 Is there a certain time of day when the air conditions will be at their worst?
19:13 The Fire and Smoke Map can show you accurate smoke conditions in your area.
20:44 Dr. Holm’s shares what surprised her the most when she first learned about air quality and pollution.
*LEGAL
This podcast episode is intended to provide general information about health and wellness only and is not designed, or intended to constitute, or be used as a substitute for, medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. You should always talk to your Medcan health care provider for individual medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, including your specific health and wellness needs.
The podcast is based on the information available at the time of preparation and is only accurate and current as of that date. Source information and recommendations are subject to change based on scientific evidence as it evolves over time. Medcan is not responsible for future changes or updates to the information and recommendations, and assumes no obligation to update based on future developments.
Reference to, or mention of, specific treatments or therapies, does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement. The links provided within the associated document are to assist the reader with the specific information highlighted. Any third-party links are not endorsed by Medcan.