How might wildfires and other natural disasters impact COVID-19 transmission?
How might wildfires and other natural disasters impact COVID-19 transmission?
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Wildfires and natural disasters may impact COVID-19 transmission by increasing the spread of the virus among people exposed to wildfires, smoke, and other disasters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) noted that "Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19." The more people cough and struggle to breathe this way, the more likely they are to spread viral particles in the process. This can spread those particles in the air and around the area so more people are likely to be exposed to the virus in addition to the wildfire smoke. People most at risk from wildfire smoke overlap with some of those most at risk for COVID-19 including adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, people with chronic health conditions, and people with limited access to medical care. For these reasons, the U.S. CDC has outlined steps for preventing further spread of the virus through several safety and prevention tips. Some of these tups include reducing wildfire smoke exposure by seeking cleaner air shelters and air spaces (while still maintaining social distancing and wearing masks) and creating a cleaner air space at home by taking actions like using a portable air cleaners with doors and windows closed, using do-it-yourself box fan filtration units, use air conditions, heat pumps, fans, and windows shades, work with an HVAC professional for help with different filters and settings, and avoid activities that create more indoor and outdoor air pollution like frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, and using gas-powered appliances. In addition to limiting outdoor exposure when it is smoky outside and chooser lower intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure, the U.S. CDC recommends cloth face coverings or more intense respirators, and getting prepared for the wildfire smoke season by planning evacuation routes and stocking up on medicine. Finally, the U.S. CDC suggests monitoring and planning for the weather including paying attention to the air quality index and knowing the difference between COVID-19 and wildfire smoke exposure symptoms.
Wildfires and natural disasters may impact COVID-19 transmission by increasing the spread of the virus among people exposed to wildfires, smoke, and other disasters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) noted that "Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19." The more people cough and struggle to breathe this way, the more likely they are to spread viral particles in the process. This can spread those particles in the air and around the area so more people are likely to be exposed to the virus in addition to the wildfire smoke. People most at risk from wildfire smoke overlap with some of those most at risk for COVID-19 including adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, people with chronic health conditions, and people with limited access to medical care. For these reasons, the U.S. CDC has outlined steps for preventing further spread of the virus through several safety and prevention tips. Some of these tups include reducing wildfire smoke exposure by seeking cleaner air shelters and air spaces (while still maintaining social distancing and wearing masks) and creating a cleaner air space at home by taking actions like using a portable air cleaners with doors and windows closed, using do-it-yourself box fan filtration units, use air conditions, heat pumps, fans, and windows shades, work with an HVAC professional for help with different filters and settings, and avoid activities that create more indoor and outdoor air pollution like frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, and using gas-powered appliances. In addition to limiting outdoor exposure when it is smoky outside and chooser lower intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure, the U.S. CDC recommends cloth face coverings or more intense respirators, and getting prepared for the wildfire smoke season by planning evacuation routes and stocking up on medicine. Finally, the U.S. CDC suggests monitoring and planning for the weather including paying attention to the air quality index and knowing the difference between COVID-19 and wildfire smoke exposure symptoms.
Publication
What our experts say
Wildfires and natural disasters may impact COVID-19 transmission by increasing the spread of the virus among people exposed to wildfires, smoke, and other disasters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) noted that "Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19." The more people cough and struggle to breathe this way, the more likely they are to spread viral particles in the process. This can spread those particles in the air and around the area so more people are likely to be exposed to the virus in addition to the wildfire smoke.
People most at risk from wildfire smoke overlap with some of those most at risk for COVID-19 including adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, people with chronic health conditions, and people with limited access to medical care. For these reasons, the U.S. CDC has outlined steps for preventing further spread of the virus through several safety and prevention tips.
Some of these tups include reducing wildfire smoke exposure by seeking cleaner air shelters and air spaces (while still maintaining social distancing and wearing masks) and creating a cleaner air space at home by taking actions like using a portable air cleaners with doors and windows closed, using do-it-yourself box fan filtration units, use air conditions, heat pumps, fans, and windows shades, work with an HVAC professional for help with different filters and settings, and avoid activities that create more indoor and outdoor air pollution like frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, and using gas-powered appliances. In addition to limiting outdoor exposure when it is smoky outside and chooser lower intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure, the U.S. CDC recommends cloth face coverings or more intense respirators, and getting prepared for the wildfire smoke season by planning evacuation routes and stocking up on medicine.
Finally, the U.S. CDC suggests monitoring and planning for the weather including paying attention to the air quality index and knowing the difference between COVID-19 and wildfire smoke exposure symptoms.
Wildfires and natural disasters may impact COVID-19 transmission by increasing the spread of the virus among people exposed to wildfires, smoke, and other disasters. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) noted that "Wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19." The more people cough and struggle to breathe this way, the more likely they are to spread viral particles in the process. This can spread those particles in the air and around the area so more people are likely to be exposed to the virus in addition to the wildfire smoke.
People most at risk from wildfire smoke overlap with some of those most at risk for COVID-19 including adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, people with chronic health conditions, and people with limited access to medical care. For these reasons, the U.S. CDC has outlined steps for preventing further spread of the virus through several safety and prevention tips.
Some of these tups include reducing wildfire smoke exposure by seeking cleaner air shelters and air spaces (while still maintaining social distancing and wearing masks) and creating a cleaner air space at home by taking actions like using a portable air cleaners with doors and windows closed, using do-it-yourself box fan filtration units, use air conditions, heat pumps, fans, and windows shades, work with an HVAC professional for help with different filters and settings, and avoid activities that create more indoor and outdoor air pollution like frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, and using gas-powered appliances. In addition to limiting outdoor exposure when it is smoky outside and chooser lower intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure, the U.S. CDC recommends cloth face coverings or more intense respirators, and getting prepared for the wildfire smoke season by planning evacuation routes and stocking up on medicine.
Finally, the U.S. CDC suggests monitoring and planning for the weather including paying attention to the air quality index and knowing the difference between COVID-19 and wildfire smoke exposure symptoms.
Context and background
Wildfires have continued to burn across the West Coast of the United States through September 2020, leading to evacuation orders for large areas, widespread displacement, and destruction of property, in addition to an increase in air pollution. In California alone, 3.3 million acres have burned since the beginning of 2020.
Natural disasters such as wildfires can cause significant long-term damage to lungs. Wildfire smoke has small particles that are 2.5 microns (microscopic) in size, but they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause inflammation in the airways. This is particularly harmful for people with pre-existing health conditions or respiratory problems, and there is some evidence to indicate that it can increase the risk of respiratory problems. While it is too early to determine the impact of wildfire smoke on COVID-19 symptoms, some experts worry it could increase the severity of existing symptoms.
Wildfires have continued to burn across the West Coast of the United States through September 2020, leading to evacuation orders for large areas, widespread displacement, and destruction of property, in addition to an increase in air pollution. In California alone, 3.3 million acres have burned since the beginning of 2020.
Natural disasters such as wildfires can cause significant long-term damage to lungs. Wildfire smoke has small particles that are 2.5 microns (microscopic) in size, but they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause inflammation in the airways. This is particularly harmful for people with pre-existing health conditions or respiratory problems, and there is some evidence to indicate that it can increase the risk of respiratory problems. While it is too early to determine the impact of wildfire smoke on COVID-19 symptoms, some experts worry it could increase the severity of existing symptoms.
Resources
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- What to Know About Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (UCSF)
- Hurricanes and Wildfires Are Compounding COVID-19 Risks (Scientific American)
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Air Resource Advisors and Other Environmental Health Professionals (U.S. CDC)
- COVID-19, Wildfires, and Indoor Air Quality (U.S. EPA)
- The COVID-19 Pandemic and Wildfire Smoke: Potentially Concomitant Disasters (AJPH) /
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- What to Know About Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (UCSF)
- Hurricanes and Wildfires Are Compounding COVID-19 Risks (Scientific American)
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 (U.S. CDC)
- Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions and Resources for Air Resource Advisors and Other Environmental Health Professionals (U.S. CDC)
- COVID-19, Wildfires, and Indoor Air Quality (U.S. EPA)
- The COVID-19 Pandemic and Wildfire Smoke: Potentially Concomitant Disasters (AJPH) /
