Category: Environmental Health
Wood-burning Stoves Raise New Health Concerns
Burning wood releases a host of particles and gases. The most regulated is fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 — particles 2.5 microns or smaller across, tiny enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs and even penetrate the brain.
Wood-burning Stoves Raise New Health Concerns
In the United States, 11.5 million homes, or about 30 million people, were estimated to use wood as their primary or secondary heat source. Growing scientific evidence shows that woodsmoke affects human health and contributes to air pollution.
Monroe School District offers $34 million to students to settle chemical exposure case
A school district in Washington state has offered an extraordinary $34 million settlement to students and parents exposed to toxic chemicals that lingered for at least eight years on a public school campus.
Wildfire Smoke Is Here to Stay. Here’s How to Clean the Air Inside Your Home.
The standard advice is to stay inside when heavy smoke is in the air. But the smoke can get into your house or apartment. So you might want to consider investing in equipment to clean the air inside your home, especially with climate change likely to continue escalating the scope and intensity of the fires.
Scorching Heat Is Killing Workers. Some States Are Stepping In.
When American farmworkers, construction laborers and trash collectors die in extreme heat, it’s rarely because their employers have broken any rules. It’s because there are none.
DIY air filter fan
This simple D.I.Y. project can make the smoky days a little more bearable and safe.
Excessive heat warning issued for Seattle and King County
Cooling centers will be available across the city,
What’s in wildfire smoke? A toxicologist explains the health risks
Smoke from wildfires contains thousands of compounds, including carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
Heat-related deaths in Washington state climb to 78 after historic heat wave
To compare, in 2020, there were seven heat-related deaths in Washington state from mid-June to the end of August. From 2015 to 2020, there were a total of 39 deaths during warmer months
How to handle the heat
Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible. Stay hydrated. Help those who are vulnerable or at higher risk.
WILDFIRE SEASON IS COMING — GET SMOKE READY!
For three of the past four years, wildfire smoke in our region has exposed people to unhealthy levels of particulate air pollution for prolonged periods of time.
Prepare for the worst: 10 steps to get ready for wildfire smoke
Planning, air cleaners, masks and more . . .
What’s in wildfire smoke, and why is it so bad for your lungs?
As smoke travels through the air, exposure sun and interactions with other chemicals in the atmosphere can make it more toxic.
Wildfire smoke prompts closure of Seattle parks
Wildfire smoke making air quality “unhealthy” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” is expected to remain in the area through the early next week.
How to keep indoor air clean on smoky days
Children, adults sixty-five and older, pregnant people and people with lung or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable to smoke from wildfires.