Health Hazards of Smoke Spring 2001
Risk Management (continued)
Firefighters' Risks
The MTDC report, Health Hazards of Smoke: Recommendations of the April 1997 Consensus Conference (9751-2836-MTDC), includes recommendations for program management, training and tactics, monitoring, health maintenance, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, research, and risk communication.
Because prescribed and wild-land fire exposure data found firefighters exceeded OSHA permissible exposure limits in a small percentage of cases (less than 5 percent), considerable attention was given to tactics that would further reduce the risk of exposure. In addition, firefighters were encouraged to practice nutrition and health habits that maintain the function of the immune system and minimize the effects of smoke exposure.
Factors that impair the immune response include stress, exhaustion, poor nutrition, smoke, loss of sleep, and rapid weight loss. Nutritional strategies include adequate intake of vitamins and antioxidants, a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and solid and liquid carbohydrate supplements during work to maintain lean body weight and energy throughout the fire season. Health habits include washing hands before meals and not sharing water bottles (except in emergencies). Research is underway in the areas of energy and nutrient intake, immune function, and oxidative stress. Results will be reported in Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Report, published twice a year by MTDC.
Citizens' Risks
Residents of communities affected by smoke from wildland fires or prescribed fires are encouraged to practice the recommended health habits. A healthy immune system is the best protection against the effects of smoke. Immune function is enhanced with regular moderate physical activity, good nutrition, hydration, and adequate rest. When smoke is present, residents can use the chart recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency to estimate their risks and guide their behavior (table 2). When smoke is bad, keep windows closed and use air conditioning (when available).
Finally, residents should keep the risks of exposure in perspective. Life is full of risks. We need to assess them accurately and balance risks and benefits. We know that a motor vehicle fatality occurs every 13 minutes, and that more than 40,000 persons die annually in motor vehicle accidents, so we buckle up and drive carefully to minimize the risk. The risks of occasional exposure to fine particulate and other components of vegetative smoke are minimal for healthy individuals. However, elevated levels of smoke that persist for months or years increase the risk of heart and respiratory disease, especially among the elderly and individuals with preexisting respiratory or cardiovascular illness.
| Proposed index categories | Health effects | Cautionary statements | PM10 | PM2.5 | 2Visibility (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | None | None | <40 | <15 | 10+ |
| Moderate | Possibility of aggravation of heart or lung disease among persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. | None | 40 to 79 | 15 to 64 | 4 to 9 |
| Unhealthy for sensitive groups | Increasing likelihood of increased respiratory symptoms in children and adults, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. | People with respiratory and heart disease and the elderly should limit prolonged exertion. | 80 to 149 | 65 to 100 | 2.5 to 3 |
| Unhealthy | Increasing respiratory symptoms in children and adults, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. | People with respiratory and heart disease and the elderly should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else, particularly children, should limit prolonged exertion. | 150 to 214 | 101 to 150 | 1.25 to 2 |
| Very unhealthy | Significant increase in respiratory symptoms in children and adults, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. | People with respiratory and heart disease and the elderly should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else, particularly children, should avoid prolonged exertion. | 215 to 354 | 151 to 250 | 1 |
| Hazardous | Serious risk of respiratory symptoms in children and adults, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly. | Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity; people with respiratory and heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. | 355+ | 251 to 350 | <0.75 |
| 1From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (1998), and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. 2Face away from the sun and look for targets at known distances. Visible range is that point at which even high-contrast objects totally disappear. |
|||||
For more information: call MTDC at 406-329-3900, visit our web page (available only on the Forest Service's internal computer network) at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us or send e-mail to bsharkey@fs.fed.us
E-mail: 