Air quality is an essential part of life. Not only is air filtration necessary for structural energy efficiency — as up to 40% of a building’s energy loss is due to poor air filtration — it’s even more essential for quality of life. Especially when it comes to outdoor pollution and wildfire issues, air filtration systems need to be of the highest quality.
According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, health officials are warning West Coast residents about how to properly prepare for an aspect of dangerous air quality: wildfire smoke.
As the warmer weather finally rears its head, wildfires are approaching just as rapidly. Wildfire smoke can not only be annoying; causing running noses and eye watering issues, but it can also lead to severe health concerns, sometimes even deadly.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with asthma or other cardiovascular diseases are even more susceptible to the health hazards of wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke consists of particulate matter, which are particles smaller than the diameter of a human hair follicle. When an individual breathes in these particles, it can negatively impact both the heart and the lungs.
Health experts are recommending the homeowners and building owners invest in high quality air filtration systems in order to protect from wildfire smoke and other forms of air pollution. Quality air filtration systems can effectively remove those dangerous particles from the air and prevent serious health issues from occurring.
“Room air purifiers can make a really big difference,” said Sarah Coefield, an air quality specialty in Montana. “A room air purifier can help you create a safe space in your home or building where you have breathable air.”
Last summer, the Pacific Northwest saw wildfire smoke spread from Portland and Seattle to east of the Cascade Mountains, impacting millions of property owners and area residents.
“I want people to go and get an air purifier with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration as commonly as they would go and get a fan because it’s hot,” Coefield added. “It’s a new way of looking at summer — because the traditional thought is that you just hunker down and then it’s better. But when it’s a month-and-a-half or two months, you can’t just hunker down. You need to have clean air to breathe.”