Wildfire smoke poses growing risk for lung health

Apocalyptic images of dark eerie skies and blazing red wildfires from B.C. are circulating on social media and those in Saskatchewan are feeling the effects of hazy skies.

Registered Nurse and Certified Respiratory Educator with the Lung Association of Saskatchewan Jill Hubick explained the effects of the smoky air can be mild to severe for people.

“It’s important for everyone to understand that everyone with lungs, which is all of us, is impacted by wildfire smoke,” Hubick said. “Our lungs are meant to breathe in fresh, clean air.

Smoke contains microscopic particles that when breathed in, go deep into the lungs. These particles can cause inflammation.

“Those that are most susceptible may cause asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) flare-ups, heart attacks, and even stroke,” Hubick said. “Wildfire smoke also releases many hazardous pollutants we know are not healthy for anyone’s lungs, or anyone’s bodies.

“People with chronic lung disease who are exposed to the wildfire smoke on an ongoing basis, we worry about them, because it’s often more challenging for them to control their lung disease. They may have more symptoms, they may need more medications.”

Hubick said there is also concern with both the older and younger populations: older populations typically already suffer from at least one chronic health condition or disease, and children breathe at a faster rate than adults.

“So everyone’s at risk,” Hubick said. “Wildfire smoke is certainly not something that we want to take lightly. It can range from very mild, so irritated throat, runny nose, itchy eyes headaches, to very severe such as an asthma or COPD flare-up — which looks something like severe shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, increased mucus production in the airways, or possibly heart attack and stroke.”

This summer, the Lung Association of Saskatchewan is seeing more people with asthma and COPD struggle to keep their disease under control.

“Many people can live very well, very active healthy lives with lung disease if they avoid something called ‘triggers’, things that make their disease worse,” Hubick said. “However, when the smoke has been so widespread … Some people are requiring hospital visits and hospitalizations and sadly, it can also lead to death, certainly among the COPD population.

“Certainly, we want everyone to be aware of a respiratory distress, asthma, or COPD emergency. That really means that this is serious, you need to seek help right away, go to your nearest emergency department, or call 911 — never drive yourself.”

Effects from wildfire smoke can take the following forms:

• A hard time breathing, so much they struggle to finish a sentence;
• Very lethargic;
• Confusion or fatigue due to trouble breathing;
• Paleness of skin;
• Grey or blue lips;
• Chest pain;
• Flaring of the nostrils;
• In-drawing, sucking in around the breastbone of the body

“Stay indoors as much as you can,” Hubick said. “You’re removing yourself somewhat from the source. If you are indoors. If you have an air conditioner put that on the re-circulation settings so it’s not drawing air in from the outside.

“Even when you’re driving in your car there’s a re-circulation setting for air conditioning as well.”

Other ways to protect oneself include avoiding outdoor exercise, keeping windows and vents closed (inside as well as driving), and avoiding campfires and backyard fires.

“(Backyard fires are) just going to add to the poor air quality,” Hubick said. “If you have medications, make sure they’re up to date and filled and that you’re taking them properly and regularly. Be mindful of what’s going on where you live. Look at the air quality Health Index and Environment Canada for alerts, and as well any reports from your provincial government.”

Questions about lung health and breathing due to the smoke can be answered by a certified respiratory educator at the Lung Association by calling their lung helpline at 1-888-566-LUNGS or visiting their website.