The dangerous effects of wildfires and smoke are ever-present, especially in 2022. News cycle after news cycle indicates that wildfires continue to pop up in parts of the United States; the devastation is evident, and emerging megafires scorch even more land than before. Fleeing and finding shelter becomes complicated by the risks smoke can cause to indoor air quality. Smoke can seep through windows, doors, vents, air intakes, and other openings to make the indoors just as hazardous as the outdoors. Luckily, advancements in air purification technology give individuals at least one way to make their safe spaces a bit safer.

Dangers to IAQ From Wildfires 

Wildfires present problems such as property damage and bodily harm from burns, but smoke exposure becomes another health hazard impacting indoor air quality. Fires near and far from homes can invade via smoke through infiltration and ventilation. Subsequent particle pollution makes it harder to breathe in most circumstances. Studies from the state of Washington even found that mortality rates increased following wildfire smoke exposure. However, a method of prevention against this type of harm does exist: air purification.

Air Purification Versus Wildfire Smoke

Air purifiers are relatively simple technology as they use fans and filters to reduce pollutants and particles in the air. These systems can be portable or built into whole air conditioning units. Regardless, most purifiers can help minimize the damage from smoke particles, lessening health effects from already damaging disasters. Journals like Environmental Health have argued that this technology is instrumental in fighting back against indoor wildfire smoke exposure. Access to cleaner air is a necessary defense against smoke hazards. EPA research supported the notion that even DIY air purifiers could be effective in preventing some extreme wildfire smoke exposure. 

Who Does Air Purification Help?  

Anyone can be harmed by smoke or other pollutants in the air, but the most vulnerable of us face the most significant risk. Smoke exposure presents more danger to seniors, pregnant women, children, and people with existing health conditions. However, experts say air purifiers, mainly employed in frequently used rooms, can decrease fine particles from wildfire smoke. This technology offers a small way to protect every person susceptible to health hazards from the air. 

Why Does It Matter?

Reports show that the occurrence of wildfires in parts of America won’t slow down; the nonprofit First Street Foundation published research concluding that nearly 80 million properties in the U.S. are at high risk of exposure to fire. A deeper analysis reveals that about 1 in 6 Americans lives in areas facing substantial wildfire risk. As the likelihood of more people facing threats from wildfires grows, so does the danger of exposure to wildfire smoke. In the next few decades, tools to fight fire damage and health issues could become more critical than ever. Air purification, as a means of reducing health risks from pollutants and particles, is the next step in addressing public health surrounding wildfires and indoor air quality.