Health Risks Associated With Smoke

The Colorado Health Department warned that the effects of smoke from wildfires burning near the Denver Metro area are being felt along the Front Range, and residents are being urged to consider simple actions that can minimize the impact upon their health.

If you can smell smoke and are beginning to experience symptoms such as coughing and eye, mouth, nose or throat irritation, move indoors and stay there with windows closed as long as it is safe to do so.

Children and adults affected by smoke also can reduce their exposure by decreasing outdoor activity. If symptoms persists even when indoors, consider temporarily relocating to another area away from the fire and smoke.

Here are some other simple tips:

If you can, stay indoors where air is filtered by air conditioning
To avoid minor irritation eyes, nose and lungs, limit outdoor activities
Use eye drops for irritated eyes
Shut off outside air in house and car, use recirculated air
Don't unnecessarily over exert yourself
If you have a respiratory illness, take your medications

The most sensitive populations include the elderly, the very young (children 7 and under) and individuals with underlying, preexisting health conditions like asthmas, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease, or respiratory infections like colds, or influenza. Smoke can trigger attacks and symptoms associated with these ailments sooner than usual, especially when individuals are exerting themselves.

If you continue to experience problems like repeated coughing, headaches, chest tightness or pain, wheezing or whistling in the chest, difficulty breathing or nausea, contact a doctor or nurse.

Some of the known components of forest or wild fire smoke include:

Particulate matter: coarse, visible and fine invisible particles that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and cancer-causing compounds.

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: a class of organic compounds found in particulate matter from forest fires, which may be carcinogenic with extended exposure.

Carbon monoxide: a colorless, odorless, toxic gas produced in highest amounts for a few minutes after dousing a fire or in smoldering forest fires. Firefighters are at greatest risk. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and decreased mental functioning.

Formaldehydes: compounds that irritate the eyes and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.

Volatile organic compounds: strong irritants, some of which are carcinogenic.

Residents seeking information on air quality and health-related information should call the Air Pollution Control Division's Air Quality Bulletin Hotline at (303) 782-0211 or (303) 758-4848. The hotline is updated at least twice daily.

You can also check out Colorado Department Of Public Health's Air Quality Reporting System to be notified of daily changes.