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Air purifiers are devices that can remove particles, including those from smoke, from the air. People living in areas where wildfires are common may benefit from these devices.
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Please note that the writer of this article has not tested any of these products. All information presented here is research-based.
Air purifiers are devices that filter small particles from the air. These particles may be from:
- dust
- mold
- chemicals
- odors
- smoke
Air purifiers usually have one or more filters and a fan, which together circulate and filter the air in a room.
Most devices require new filters after a certain amount of time. Each product’s manufacturer will include information about which filter the device requires in the product manual.
Learn more about air purifiers here.
Research suggests that wildfires lead to an increase in air pollutants. One systematic review found that daily pollution levels during and after wildfires exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations. One pollutant, PM10, was up to 10 times higher as a result of wildfires.
Additionally, over 90% of the studies the researchers reviewed found that wildfire smoke was significantly associated with the risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. Children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions seem more likely to develop these conditions.
The EPA states that fine particles from wildfire smoke can enter deep into the lungs. This can cause short- and long-term effects.
Some short-term effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include:
Inhalation of smoke is also linked to premature death.
Learn more about the effects of smoke inhalation here.
The EPA states that the following groups of people are more at risk when inhaling smoke:
- People with heart or lung disease: Wildfire smoke can make the symptoms of heart and lung disease worse, and people may experience chest pain or discomfort and shortness of breath.
- Older adults: Heart and lung disease are more common in older adults.
- Children and teenagers: Asthma is more common in children and teenagers than adults. Additionally, these groups breathe in more air per pound of body weight than adults and are more likely to be active outdoors.
- People with diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to have underlying chronic conditions that may become worse after inhaling smoke.
- Pregnant people: Wildfire smoke can cause potential health problems in pregnant …….
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/air-purifier-for-smoke