To the Editor,
A scratchy throat and itchy eyes aren’t the only results of wildfire smoke.
Invisible 2.5 micron particles are so tiny they penetrate lungs and enter the bloodstream to organs, including the brain. Effects include inflammation, heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, and respiratory infections. Even on clear days, 2.5 PM levels can be dangerous (airnow.gov). Little lungs are even more vulnerable; I’m thinking of children and pets.
Although our recent air alerts have cleared, wildfire seasons are expanding each year. We expect more air alerts, and can prepare for them now.
Outdoors, we can protect our lungs by wearing N95 or KN95 masks (even in cars with cabin filters).
Indoors, we can use HEPA air filters. A lower-cost indoor solution is to attach a 20”x20”x1” furnace filter with a MERV 13 rating to the back of a box fan that was manufactured after 2012. Free instructions are at epa.gov.diyaircleaner.
After we learn those simple steps, we can share tips with neighbors to live through these days together as best we can.
Bonita A. Underbakke
Lanesboro, Minn.
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