News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By Beverley J. Anderson

In light of the forest fires raging in our area right now, I thought you would want to know a bit about the effects that forest fire smoke can have on air quality and your health. As you may be aware, smoke from these fires resulted in the Ministry of Environment issuing a number of Wildfire Smoke Advisories over the long weekend.  Even though the wood smoke we are experiencing right now is caused by a ‘natural’ source, it is every bit as unhealthy as the wood smoke from a neighbour’s chimney or smoke from a backyard burn. 

From a human health perspective, the greatest cause for concern in wood smoke is particulate matter.  Particles that are 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (called PM2.5) are small enough to be breathed into the deepest reaches of our lungs and transfer into the bloodstream. They are associated with all sorts of respiratory health problems — from a runny nose and coughing, to bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and pneumonia — as well as heart disease, and even death.

Although breathing wood smoke is not healthy for anyone, the health risks are greater for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and people with existing heart and lung problems. Children are also at greater risk because their respiratory systems are still developing, and because they inhale more air due to their higher rates of activity. 

To help reduce your personal health risk and that of your children, the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health have offered the following tips:

• People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure.  If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke and if necessary see their physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.

• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.

• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

• Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.

• Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.

• Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.

• You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.

• Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.

• Pay attention to local air quality reports, air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.

• Commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.

• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

• For general information about smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp

• Real-time air quality information in Williams Lake and other communities in B.C. is available at http://www.bcairquality.ca

For more information on air quality, contact Graham Veale, Air Quality Meteorologist, Ministry of Environment Phone: 250-398-4762. 

Article written by Beverley J. Anderson
Air Quality Educator for Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable
Phone: 250-392-5997
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or check out our new website:  www.breatheasywilliamslake.org

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