Forbes September 18, 2024
Air quality alerts are issued because air pollution can cause both immediate and long-term health effects. Wildfire smoke contains a variety of particles, inluding tiny particulates called PM2.5, which are 2.5 microns in diameter, compared to 50-70 microns for a human hair. These particles are so fine that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. The PM10 particles are more likely to land on larger surfaces of your airways.
Acute exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 can cause asthma attacks and exacerbations of COPD, and may require emergency room care or hospitalization for control. Most likely to be affected are babies, children, and adults with heart or lung disease.
Long-term exposure to these particulates is associated with worsening lung disease...
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