Why Prioritizing Your Health with Masks is Essential for Navigating Uncertain Air Quality – Insights from Daily Bruin

Wildfires in the Pacific Palisades have caused major destruction, damaging over 6,000 buildings and sending harmful smoke toward Los Angeles. This smoke poses serious health risks for many residents.

UCLA has resumed in-person classes, reassuring students about air quality. While the campus itself isn’t directly in the fire zone, air pollution can travel far and fast. It’s important for students to stay alert about their health and monitor air quality closely.

Smoke from wildfires doesn’t just stay where the fire is. With strong Santa Ana winds, pollution can reach areas miles away, including UCLA. Dr. May-Lin Wilgus, a pulmonologist at UCLA Health, explains that pollutants can impact regions 10 to 15 times larger than the fire itself.

This smoke carries a dangerous mix of particles and gases. A key player is PM2.5, a tiny particle that can get deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. This can lead to various health problems like respiratory issues, heart disease, and even cancer.

For those with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to serious complications. Dr. Christopher Cooper, a respiratory specialist at UCLA, emphasizes that many young people may not even know they have asthma, making them particularly vulnerable during events like this.

Besides asthma concerns, there are worries about harmful substances from homes that burned, especially those built with materials like asbestos and lead paint. Fortunately, many homeowners have already addressed these hazards. In California, assessments for lead and asbestos are mandatory during renovations or sales.

However, Dr. Cooper warns that the real concern lies with unknown toxins from burning cars and everyday household items, which can release volatile organic compounds and other harmful materials. “We should be more worried about the toxins from burning everything inside homes, not just asbestos,” he noted.

When structures burn, everything inside them—including plastics and batteries—contributes to harmful smoke. This smoke can contain dangerous gases and carcinogens that threaten health.

Despite these risks, air quality readings in Westwood have remained in the “good” to “moderate” range since the fires started. According to UCLA’s air quality website, this means some individuals, particularly those with heart or lung issues, are more affected but overall, the air seems safe.

But accurately assessing the pollution is tricky. Yifang Zhu, a professor at UCLA, explains that many different materials have burned, making it hard to measure all pollutants accurately. While official measures track five major pollutants through air quality indices (AQI), they miss many harmful substances released from household items.

Some ash particles are simply too large for standard air quality monitors to detect, which can create a false sense of security. Zhu warns that there may be thousands of chemicals in the air, making it vital to take air quality reports with caution.

Online platforms like Purple Air and IQAir can help inform about air conditions, but they shouldn’t be the only tool for assessing safety. During wildfires, it’s crucial to be mindful of air quality as it can affect both short-term and long-term health.

To reduce exposure to PM2.5, experts suggest wearing N95 masks, as paper or cloth masks are not adequate for protection against these fine particles. It’s essential to take precautions: wear proper masks, limit time spent outside, and don’t blindly rely on air quality monitors.

Your health and safety largely depend on the choices you make now. Stay informed and take care of yourself during this difficult time.

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