Latest news with #respiratoryhealth
National Post
16-07-2025
- Health
- National Post
What you need to know to understand air quality warnings in Canada
Article content What are the possible health impacts? Article content The immediate health impacts of poor air quality can include difficulty breathing, eye and throat irritation, cough, wheezing and chest tightness, and it can worsen any pre-existing symptoms of respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Article content When it comes to long-term impacts, there's still research to be done on the impact of exposure to wildfire smoke. However, preliminary results show 'an impact on lung function, a slight increased risk of lung cancer, brain tumours, potential increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and a potential effect on childhood development and developmental disorders of childhood,' said Green. Article content 'Wildfire smoke likely has negative health impacts on all body systems and we should avoid repeated and long term exposure,' said Green. Article content On July 14, until 11 a.m., Toronto had an AQHI of 10, meaning it was better to stay indoors, while in Halifax, the AQHI was 2, an ideal air quality for outdoor activities. Article content Article content The poor air quality in many parts of the country, like Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, was caused mainly by the forest fires over Northern Ontario and the Prairies. Article content 'An N95 mask will filter out a large portion of the particulate matter. It's not going to filter out those other air pollutants, like nitrogen dioxide and ozone and it's not a long term solution,' Green said. However, a surgical mask won't help, only an N95 worn correctly. Article content 'If someone must be outside and the AQHI is high, I would say, sure, yes, it will protect you if you wear an N95 mask,' said Green. Article content
Washington Post
15-07-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
I'm a pulmonologist. This is how I protect myself from wildfire smoke.
As a lung disease specialist living in Los Angeles, I'm used to thinking about air quality. I routinely talk to my patients about how air pollution — including the type churned up by our regional wildfires — can hurt their lungs and worsen respiratory symptoms. That's part of my job.
CNET
14-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Can an Air Purifier Protect You From Wildfire Smoke? Here's What You Need to Know
Wildfires are raging across North America. The Dragon Bravo and White Sage wildfires in Arizona have burned over 5,700 acres on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. Meanwhile, hundreds of wildfires in Canada are scorching millions of acres across several provinces and triggering air quality alerts across the US and Canada. Many parts of North America will likely continue to experience poor air quality for weeks to come. Wildfire smoke creates breathing hazards for both healthy people and those with existing respiratory issues. And though populations who live near the fires are at the highest risk, there may be impacts felt by people who live far away, depending on how the wind blows. Whether you're currently facing poor air quality due to the ongoing wildfires across the continent or you live in a wildfire-prone area, air purifiers are one way to address air quality issues. Sometimes referred to as air cleaners, air purifiers are designed to remove polluting particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and, importantly, smoke. Though manufacturers are not allowed to market these devices as health products in the US, our hands-on testing has shown some of them to be effective in filtering harmful substances from the air -- especially if they use a HEPA filter. Here's how they work and what to keep in mind when shopping for the best air purifier. (You should also make sure your air purifier is in the right place and is clean to ensure it's working properly.) What do air purifiers do? At its most basic function, portable air purifiers and air filters remove pollutants from the air around you and in your home. Indoor air pollutants fall into two main categories. Particulate matter: Biological pollutants like mold spores, dust mites, bacteria, pet dander, viruses and smoke. Gaseous pollutants: Pollutants like paints, varnishes, adhesives and pesticides. Especially dangerous gaseous pollutants are sometimes referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often man-made and are highly toxic, causing damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system, as well as leading to certain cancers or memory and vision issues. Ideally, you would take steps to avoid introducing these airborne particles in the first place, but in situations like wildfires, it's out of your control and you must take steps to prevent negative health effects. How does an air purifier work? Air purifiers remove pollutants, particles and gasses from the air using one of three common methods: filtration, electrostatic precipitation and ionizing. Notably, the EPA warns about the risk of ozone created by some electrostatic and ionizing air purifiers, and some states like California even restrict the sale of ozone-producing air purifiers. Experts agree using filter-based air purifiers is healthier and more effective than ozone generators, so that's the method we'll focus on throughout this article. The most effective form of air filtration -- and likely the one you've heard the most about -- is a HEPA filter, which stands for high-efficiency particulate absorber. These pleated mechanical air filters pull in the air in your home and move it through the filter with a circulating fan. When the air moves through the filters, any pollutants or particles are caught in the filter, and then the clean air is pushed back out, so you have clean air to breathe. HEPA filters work to effectively remove smoke particulate from the air. Colin McDonald/CNET This type of air filter is reported to remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles from the air. HEPA filters do a better job than standard air filters because they are designed to catch finer particles and purify the air more thoroughly. In addition to using an air filter, you can keep your indoor air clean by vacuuming regularly, not smoking inside and allowing fresh air in on nice days. Be sure to also regularly change out your air purifier's filters to guarantee it purifies effectively. How do I buy an air purifier? Air purifiers range in price from under $100 to well over $1,000. The price differential usually depends on how much air (how many cubic feet) the device is able to purify thoroughly. Most models are designed to sit on the floor, but you can find tabletop models and even wall-mounted designs for air filtration in your home. When it comes to purchasing a portable air cleaner, the EPA suggests you base your decision on the size of the room where you will use the air purifier. This means you'll need to read the product descriptions carefully to be sure you get an air filtration system big enough to fit your space. Larger models will likely cost more and use more energy, but it's necessary to really make sure your air is filtered properly. There are a few ways to be confident you're picking a good air purifier. You might see the abbreviation for clean air delivery rate (CADR) on an air purifier's packaging. This value is a measure of how quickly the air purifier can deliver clean air back into your space. The higher the CADR, the more quickly the air pollutants are removed, though some manufacturers have suggested this lab testing method isn't an accurate simulation of how air filtration would work in an average home. Which air purifier should you get? Which air purifier should you get? Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 7:00 Loaded : 1.78% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 7:00 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Which air purifier should you get? Air purifiers and HVAC filters are also measured by the minimum efficiency reporting value scale, where the lowest rating is 1 and the highest is 20. HEPA filters rate between 17 and 20. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recommends at least a 13 on the MERV scale for smoke mitigation. If you're in the market for an air purifier, look for a higher score on this scale if you're looking to mitigate serious breathing concerns like asthma and allergies, and wildfire smoke. CNET has tested many air purifiers over the years. If smoke from wildfires is currently affecting your home or you live in a wildfire-prone region, consider purchasing one of these tested air purifiers to improve the indoor air quality until outdoor air quality improves. While the devastation of wildfires can be harrowing, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones. Here are some additional resources:
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Doctor recommends staying indoors to protect yourself from poor air quality
Watch Dr. Shawn Aaron explains the dangers of wildfire smoke, its impact on respiratory health, and how to stay safe as air quality worsens across Canada.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Millions warned as wildfire smoke returns to Ontario skies
Expect deteriorating air quality across parts of Ontario as we start this new workweek, as upper-level winds blow wildfire smoke into the region. Some of the smoke could mix down to the surface, lowering air quality from northern Ontario to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). An air quality warning was issued for Toronto and much of the GTA first thing Monday, with widespread special air quality statements covering a lot of the province. As of 8 a.m. Monday, Toronto actually ranked as the world's second-most polluted major city, according to IQAir, a Swiss-based air quality technology firm. DON'T MISS: The poor air quality may persist into Tuesday for some areas. Folks whose respiratory systems are especially sensitive to wildfire smoke should use extra caution over the next couple of days. It's already been a rough year for wildfires across Canada. The total area burned since January 1, 2025, has surpassed 5 million hectares, with over 3,000 fires reported so far this year. For reference, the five-year average for this time of year is just 2.5 million hectares. Active blazes over Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northwestern Ontario have sent prolific plumes of smoke billowing into the atmosphere. Westerly upper-level winds blowing across these wildfire zones will force smoke to move over Ontario through the upcoming week. Many communities across Ontario already reported reduced air quality on Sunday evening. Tiverton, Sault Ste. Marie, and North Bay all saw high risk air quality levels, while Barrie and Grand Bend reported air quality at the moderate risk level. MUST SEE: Sinking air behind the frontal system responsible for this weekend's potent thunderstorms will allow the smoke to mix directly down to the surface, further affecting air quality over the next couple of days. The air quality health index rating was already sitting at a "high" risk of 10 across much of the GTA Monday morning. The risk is likely to hover around 6 in the city of Toronto through Tuesday. Models indicate that the smoke could linger across the province until at least Wednesday, possibly extending into Thursday. Wildfire smoke can cause respiratory problems in those who suffer from chronic illnesses or respiratory diseases. If possible, stay indoors during periods of reduced air quality, and consider wearing a mask outdoors to reduce your exposure to fine particulate matter. Click here to view the video
