An N95 Mask Is Your Best Outdoor Defense Against Wildfire Smoke

For the second day in a row, the eastern U.S. was enveloped in a hazy beige smog that blocked the skies and sun of early summer. Countless tiny particles from the raging Canadian wildfires—measuring 2.5 microns or less in width (30 times the diameter of a human hair)—are polluting the air. In New York City, levels of these particulates have soared to nearly 60 times the recommended guideline established by the World Health Organization, according to data collected by IQAir. The sight and smell of obviously unclean air prompted many to dig up the masks they had used while they were still taking COVID-19 precautions and wear them outside. But how much can masks protect against wildfire particulates? [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] It depends on which type you wear. Experts say that N95 or KN95 masks, which are designed to filter out 95% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger, are the most effective masks that most people have access to. Even if they can’t filter out 100% of tiny particles, they’re still worthwhile: when you inhale particulates over the short term, they can embed themselves in lung tissue and cause breathing problems by triggering asthma attacks and other respiratory symptoms, so filtering out as many as possible makes sense. Longer term exposure can cause more serious harm to the heart and lungs. Read More: How to Stay Safe from Wildfire Smoke On June 7, the New York City Department of Health recommended that anyone spe...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized healthscienceclimate Public Health Source Type: news