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Jan 25, 2024

How to Improve the Indoor Air Quality In Your Home Right Now

With wildfires raging across parts of Canada and numerous states under air

With wildfires raging across parts of Canada and numerous states under air quality alerts, you may wonder if you should be concerned about the air inside your home, too. "Buildings are not air-tight, so outdoor air quality definitely affects indoor air quality," says Robert Laumbach, MD, MPH, associate professor of environmental and occupational health and justice at Rutgers University School of Public Health. "When we see air quality levels that are acutely hazardous, such as from wildfire smoke, you should take a few precautions to reduce your exposure."

Smoke from wildfires can affect you in various ways. The airborne particles (or particulates) sent aloft by the heat of the fire can travel long distances. These microscopic particles get into your eyes and respiratory system, whether you're indoors or out. Even if you're healthy, your eyes may sting and feel dry, your throat may feel scratchy, or you could have a headache or runny nose. In addition, studies have shown that when particulate levels are high, there's an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in some individuals, says Dr. Laumbach.

Though the smoke from wildfires often clears within a few days, here's what you need to know about how to improve your indoor air quality right now:

You can find local outdoor air quality here at airnow.gov. The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures particulate levels, which are a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. "You cannot see individual particulates, but you can see them aggregated when you see smoke," says Dr. Laumbach.

When AQI values are between 101 and 150, it's unhealthy for sensitive individuals such as kids, older people, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, COPD, diabetes or asthma. When the values are higher than 151, it's unhealthy for everyone, even healthy individuals, to be outdoors, says Dr. Laumbach.

Particulate matter includes inhalable particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and fine particulates, which are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. To give you perspective, a human hair is 70 micrometers in diameter, which is 30 times larger than the largest fine particle!

The bad news: They sure are. "They may experience similar symptoms as we do, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation," says Debbie Chew, DVM, of East Greenbush Animal Hospital in East Greenbush, New York. "Pets who have underlying health conditions, such as allergies or asthma or cardiovascular disease, are at greater risk from smoke."

In addition, brachycephalic breeds which have short, broad skulls, such as pugs and bulldogs, puppies, kittens, and senior animals also may be especially at risk. And birds are particularly susceptible to air quality issues and should not be allowed outside when particulate matter is present, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

If you’re healthy, you’re usually not at a major risk from short-term exposures to wildfire smoke, says Dr. Laumbach. But it's still smart to avoid breathing in these tiny particles. Here's what you to do to improve indoor air quality at any time, with tips from Dr. Laumbach, Dr. Chew, AVMA, EPA, CDC, and the American Lung Association:

Stay indoors. When the AQI values are higher than 151, it's unhealthy for everyone to be outside. Postpone activities such as mowing or going for a run.

Keep windows and doors closed.

Bring pets indoors and keep potty breaks brief. Don't go for long walks, and save outdoor play sessions for when air quality improves, says Dr. Chew.

Use a portable air cleaner. HEPA filters are best because they remove 99.97 percent of the particles in the air that pass through the filter. Run your air filter on the highest fan setting around the clock.

DIY a temporary air cleaner. Attach a furnace filter to a box fan with duct tape (find DIY instructions here). Research has shown these homemade units can remove some particles, says Dr. Laumbach.

Upgrade your home's HVAC filter to a high-efficiency filter. Use one that has a MERV13 rating, which indicates a filter's ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. Check with your manufacturer to learn what type of high-efficiency filter your system fan and filter slot can accommodate.

Run your air conditioner on "recirculate." This can filter out some of the particles that are coming in from outdoors.

If using a window air conditioner, make sure the seal between the unit and the window is as tight as possible. AC units with a single hose should not be used because they actually can bring more smoke indoors, according to the EPA.

Reduce indoor activity, too. It's better to play it safe because you don't know how much your indoor air quality has been affected, says Dr. Laumbach.

Avoid activities that create more fine particles indoors. That includes using gas or wood-burning stoves, spraying aerosol products, frying food, burning candles, or vacuuming (unless you have a vacuum with a HEPA filter)

In your car, run the AC and set to "recirculate."

If you must work outside, wear an N95 mask properly. "It won't work if air is going around the filter, not through it," says Dr. Laumbach. Go here to learn how to fit one correctly to your face.

Call your doctor or vet ASAP if a family member has any concerning symptoms. That includes symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, gagging, wheezing, asthma attack, lethargy, or chest pain. Stay alert and keep calm until the air clears.

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