Does Wildfire Smoke Harm Your Health? (Surprising)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 10, 2023
Red itchy eyes, burning lungs, a hacking cough…
If you live in one of the (at least) 13 U.S. states stuck under a smoky haze from the blazing wildfires in Canada, you’re likely feeling its effects every time you step outside.
The blanket of noxious smoke hanging over the Northeast and Midwestern parts of the country makes it perfectly clear that the air quality out there is poor.
After all, you can literally SEE and SMELL it hundreds of miles away from its source.
But just HOW dangerous is breathing in that smoke?
Let’s take a closer look.
I’ll cut to the chase. Wildfire smoke poses serious health risks.
I’ve warned readers about the dangers of air pollution before. But wildfire smoke is even WORSE.
Research comparing typical air pollution to the same amount of wildfire smoke shows that wildfire pollution causes MORE inflammation and tissue damage.
You see, the haze lingering out there isn’t “just” smoke. It can contain toxic gases, dust, dirt, and other particulate matter such as plastic, metal, and toxic chemicals (including phthalates and dioxins).
And when it comes to particulate matter, the smaller it is, the more danger it poses. Breathing in particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller (PM2.5), can irritate your respiratory linings. They can even worm their way deep into your alveoli.
Protective macrophage cells will surround some of them. Others may get trapped in mucus and get coughed up. But some can travel from your lungs to other organs.
Common smoke exposure symptoms include throat, eye, and skin irritation, as well as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
We know from research on firefighters that breathing in wildfire smoke over several days can trigger lung function and heart problems. Plus, studies link wildfire smoke to higher rates of heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and strokes.
And there’s growing evidence that the adverse effects of smoke exposure can linger long after the haze has cleared, including higher risks for…
- heart disease
- respiratory illnesses
- lung cancer
- brain tumors
- cognitive issues
- fungal infections
The bottom line? You should do your best to AVOID exposure.
That means when there’s wildfire smoke in your area, stay inside if possible. Limit all necessary outdoor activities. Close the windows and vents in your home and car. And pay attention to local air-quality warnings.
Consider investing in a true-HEPA air purifier for your home. A moderately priced model should effectively clear the particles found in wildfire smoke from an average bedroom or living room.
Oh, and those N95 masks you purchased to protect yourself from COVID can come in handy here. If you MUST be outside mask up to reduce the amount of particulate matter you inhale.
For more tips on reducing exposure indoors and out, check out the EPA’s pages on Reducing Exposure to Wildfire Smoke.
P.S. When you think of air pollution the typical culprits come to mind… things like car exhaust, factory fumes, and wildfire smoke. But a particularly nasty air pollutant could be hiding in your OWN home. CLICK HERE to reveal what it is.
Sources:
“Review of the health effects of wildland fire smoke on wildland firefighters and the public.” Inhal Toxicol. 2016;28(3):95-139. doi: 10.3109/08958378.2016.1145771. PMID: 26915822.
“Long-term exposure to wildfires and cancer incidence in Canada: a population-based observational cohort study,” The Lancet Planetary Health, Published: May, 2022, doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00067-5
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
“Time Travel” Technique Predicts Dementia 20 Years EARLY?
Did you ever watch those old time-travel movies when you were a kid? I sure did—and I loved to daydream about being able to see the future. Well, now a new international study may have just uncovered a way for us to experience something similar. It’s probably not quite how you imagined it as a...
Are Your Ears Giving You a Hidden Warning?
Do you struggle to follow conversations in crowded restaurants? Or do you find yourself repeatedly asking, “What?” at big family gatherings like Thanksgiving? Most people brush this off as a normal part of aging. But groundbreaking research suggests this common problem could be an early WARNING SIGN of something far more serious… A massive study...
Liver Brain Link Will Have You Rethinking Memory Loss
Here’s something that might surprise you… Your liver could be secretly sabotaging your brain health. We know that what happens in the liver doesn’t always stay in the liver. But now, groundbreaking research reveals just how deeply this vital organ’s health is connected to a critical aspect of aging… your memory and thinking skills. Scientists...
Nature’s Pharmacy Knocks Out Long COVID Symptoms
I’ve had many people ask me about Long COVID recently. It’s a big concern because it’s affecting more survivors than you might think. If you’re one of them—before you resign yourself to a life of lingering symptoms—there’s hope on the horizon… And it comes straight from Mother Nature herself. Recent data paints a sobering picture....
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...