Serene Karplus, Nederland.   Drought across the West, the increase of dead trees and fuel, human habitation of wildland, and an aging population, create a perfect storm for the extreme effects of wildfire on health. Smoke from wildfires, particularly for people 65 and older, can cause an increase in emergency room visits for heart, lung, and brain-related issues.

A study published in April 2018, in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), examined the health impacts of recent wildfires in California. It looked at the effects of the fire season in 2015 that burned more than 800,000 acres. The research, which combined data on more than a million ER visits with NASA satellite images of the fires, concluded that on dense smoke days ER visits by older adults for all heart-related ailments increased by 15 percent. Visits for heart attacks spiked by 42 percent, and by 22 percent for stroke-related issues.

Smoke is irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and its odor may be nauseating to some. It contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chemicals and poisons such as cyanide, and particulate matter, referred to on charts as “PM.” Carbon monoxide can bind with blood hemoglobin and prevent oxygen from reaching the body.

Inhaling smoke for a short time can produce immediate acute effects. It can cause lungs and airways to become irritated, swollen, and blocked. The damaged airway and lungs can prevent oxygen from getting into the blood, creating possible respiratory failure.

When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may experience coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, stinging eyes, and a runny nose. This can cause temporary reductions in lung function and pulmonary inflammation.

Do not rely on paper dust masks found at hardware stores. These masks are not designed to block the small particles generated by wildfire smoke. The tiny particles can be inhaled into the deepest recesses of the lung and may represent a greater health concern than larger particles.

Particulate matter can also affect the body’s immune system. A 2010 AHA statement on air pollution pointed out the association between particulate matter and an increased risk for those already susceptible to heart attack, stroke, irregular heart rhythm and heart failure.

During a wildfire, if smoke is visible or the smell is strong, avoid outdoor physical activities. If neighborhood visibility decreases to less than five miles, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. Those with asthma or any lung disease should adhere to their doctor’s advice regarding medications and respiratory management and call the doctor if symptoms become worse.

Along with avoiding being outside, keep windows closed to maintain better air quality in the house.

Those with air conditioning should run it with the air intake vent closed and a clean filter. Avoid using whole house evaporative cooling systems, which pull in air from the outside; consider using a portable evaporative cooler within the house. As most mountain homes do not have cooling systems, those finding it too warm to stay inside with the windows closed should seek shelter elsewhere.

Those who must be outside should limit that time as much as possible and avoid engaging in any activity that requires breathing more heavily. If someone with established heart or pulmonary disease must go outside for an extended period of time, using a mask marked N95 or P100 can be helpful. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including fatigue, nausea, headache and vomiting, and contact a doctor immediately if these occur.

The EPA issued “Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Officials” in 2016 which contains helpful information for all of us. The public also can go to the agency’s AirNow site at https://www.airnow.gov, which includes the locations of current fires and guidelines for what people can do to protect themselves.

The above information is from the American Heart Association, Center for Disease Control, Boulder County, and other websites.

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All ages of adults are welcome at all events, attended mostly by folks over age 50. Sign up for all meals and events at 303-258-0799 or Meetup.com/Mountain-MidLife-Social-Group or by email at NederlandAreaSeniors@gmail.com. Meals are served at the Nederland Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (more for dinners and breakfasts if possible). Missed the deadline? Call anyway. Costs listed show first the over-age-60 requested anonymous contribution, then the under-age-60 price. Please note that all over age 60 are welcome at meals regardless of ability to contribute financially.