Protecting Yourself From The Pollution From All The Forest Fires

 Around the United States and Canada, forest fires are burning. They are creating blankets of smoke which can lead to burning lungs and all kinds of other damage to our bodies.

Researchers have been looking at the particulate matter coming off of these wildfires. They have labeled it PM2.5 and have been reporting on all the damage it can do to us because it’s able to penetrate deep into a person’s lungs. 

This exposure can lead to all kinds of health problems, such as:

* Increase in heart attacks

* Increase in strokes

*Alzheimer's disease

So how can you protect yourself? While you want to stay indoors as much as you can, these PM2.5 particles can get into our homes, so we are exposed to it. 

There’s an environmental group, Earth Justice, which has come up with a hack that you can do yourself to protect you in your house. 

So, the first thing you’ll need to do is buy one or more box fans depending on how large your house is. Next, you’ll need to buy the kind of furnace filter that you use to protect your furnace or air conditioner. You can just measure the dimensions of the box fan and go to a hardware store and purchase a filter that will cover the back of the box fan. It will probably be a 20”x20”x1” furnace filter. You also want to get one that is labeled MERV 13 or FPR 10.

A MERV 13 filter is pleated and can trap at least 85% of particles that are 1.0 micron or larger, and at least 50% of particles in the 0.3–1.0 micron range. It can also remove some viruses and bacteria. 

FPR 10 is a rating on the Home Depot's Air Filter Performance Rating (FPR) system, which indicates that an air filter can capture household dust, lint, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, mold spores, smoke, smog, microscopic allergens, and virus carriers. FPR ratings range from 4–10, with higher numbers indicating better filtration. This means that the FPR 10 is the top of the line for filtration.

You’ll also need to buy duct tape if you don’t have it (you can use a couple of bungee cords instead) because you’ll need to tape the filter (or you can use your bungee cords) to the back of the box fan.

Place the box fan in an unobstructed area and turn it on!

You’ll also want to keep your doors closed as much so you can keep new smoke from getting into your home.
(Reported Earthjustice, earthjustice.org)