• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About KVH
  • Pay My Bill
  • Contact Us
  • Events & Education
  • Careers
  • Foundation
  • Show Search

KV Healthcare

MENUMENU
  • Clinics & Specialties
        • KVH Cardiology
        • KVH Dermatology
        • KVH ENT & Allergy
        • KVH Family Medicine – Cle Elum
          • Addiction Medicine
          • Anticoagulation Clinic
        • KVH Family Medicine – Ellensburg
          • Addiction Medicine
          • Anticoagulation Clinic
        • KVH General Surgery
        • KVH Geriatric Nurse Practitioners
        • KVH Home Health
          • Home Infusion Services
        • KVH Hospice
        • KVH Internal & Adult Medicine
          • Anticoagulation Clinic
        • KVH Neurology
        • KVH Occupational Medicine
        • KVH Occupational Therapy
        • KVH Orthopedics
        • KVH Pediatrics
        • KVH Physical Therapy
          • Aquatic Therapy
        • KVH Speech Therapy
        • KVH Urgent Care
        • KVH Vascular Surgery
        • KVH Women’s Health
        • KVH Workplace Health
        • KVH Wound Care
  • Hospital Services
    • Cardiopulmonary Services
    • Emergency Department
      • What to expect upon arrival
      • Ouchless ER
      • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
    • Family Birthing Place
      • What to Expect
      • Birth & Family Education
      • Lactation Services
      • 4th Trimester Resource Center
      • Pregnancy & Infant Loss
    • Imaging Services
      • Bone Densitometry
      • Computerized Tomography (CT)
      • Digital Fluoroscopy
      • Echocardiography
      • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
      • Digital Mammography
      • Radiography (X-ray)
      • Ultrasound
    • Laboratory Services
      • Standing Orders
      • Sample Collection
    • Nutrition Services
      • Nutrition Consultation
      • Diabetes Self-Management
      • Nutrition Classes
      • Diabetes Support Club
      • Nutrition Resources
    • Pharmacy Services
    • Surgical Services
      • Preparation for Surgery
      • Children & Surgery
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Checking In
      • Patient Policies
      • Patient Safety & Security
    • Visiting
    • Billing
      • Online Bill Payment
      • Price Transparency Tool
      • Bills from Other Providers
      • Insurance plans accepted at KVH
      • Insurance vs. Self Pay
      • Washington Health Plan Finder
    • Medical Records
    • DAISY Award Program
    • Patient Stories
    • Patient Portal
    • Quality of Care
    • Retail Pharmacy
  • Find a Provider
  • KVH News
  • Pay My Bill
  • MyPatientPortal
Hide Search

smoke

Wildfire Smoke Exposure and Children

HealthNews · Jul 6, 2023 ·

Contributor Dr. Elise Herman

As climate change causes a longer and more severe wildfire season, exposure to wildfire smoke in children is an increasing problem. Wildfire smoke is felt to be more dangerous than typical air pollution and kids (especially those under 5 years) are more vulnerable for multiple reasons. Children’s smaller airways are more adversely affected by swelling and inflammation from smoke. Kids also breathe more rapidly than adults, thereby taking in more of the dangerous particles. Children who have underlying lung problems including asthma are at increased risk and are more likely to need medical care.

Children typically have coughing, sneezing, and increased congestion with wildfire smoke exposure. They may also have burning or discomfort of their eyes, nose, and throat. If there is more serious exposure, a child may become lethargic or have shortness of breath. Signs of trouble breathing in kids include breathing rapidly, the ribs sticking out with each breath (“retractions”), and the abdomen moving a lot with breathing (“belly breathing”). Babies may also have head bobbing and grunting as signs of respiratory distress.

Being aware of the air quality can guide your actions. Airnow.gov is a good site to check; if the AQI (air quality index) is over 150, avoid any outdoor activity if possible. Kids 2 years and over can wear a mask to somewhat reduce smoke exposure. NIOSH N95 or KN95 masks are 80-95% effective at reducing smoke exposure (depending on the fit of the mask) but do not come in sizes for younger kids. Surgical masks are only 20% effective and therefore are not ideal. Cloth masks really do not help filter smoke.

Here are steps child you can take to protect your child if there is wildfire smoke in your area :

  • Ideally, temporarily relocate to an area free of smoke
  • If the AQI is over 150, stay inside and close windows and doors
  • If possible, use a HEPA air filter or MERV13 filter (this is a rating for a filter’s effectiveness) on your air-conditioning unit; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has information on creating a DIY air cleaner that is effective
  • Set your air conditioning to ‘recirculate’
  • If you do not have air-conditioning and the weather is very hot, consider going to a cooling center (a place with air conditioning to provide temporary respite from the heat)
  • Avoid lighting candles, vacuuming, or using a gas stove which can worsen indoor air quality
  • Rinse your child’s eyes with water if they are stinging or itchy
  • If your child has a lung condition like asthma, make sure you have enough medication, especially a rescue inhaler
  • Call your healthcare provider if your child feels short of breath, or complains of dizziness or chest pain
  • Seek emergency care if you see signs of shortness of breath as listed above or if your child seems less alert or very lethargic

Resources

  • Wildfire Smoke and Children / https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/children.htmI
  • DIY Air Cleaner / https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/diy-air-purifier-infographic_final.pdf

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Primary Sidebar

Footer Top 1

HRSA National Health Service Corps Site

Footer Top 2

603 S. Chestnut Street - Ellensburg, WA 98926
509.962.9841

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Footer Top 3

Footer Bottom 1

Download the MyPatient Portal App
Apple Store Google Play Store

Footer Bottom 2

  • About KVH
  • Careers
  • Board of Commissioners
  • Contact Us
  • Foundation

Footer Bottom 3

  • Our Locations
  • Hospital Services
  • Clinics & Specialty Services
  • Patients & Visitors
  • Events & Education
  • Press Releases
  • KVH Legal Information

Footer Bottom 4

Google Translate