Air Quality and Wildfires

Rain doesn't stop Troop 60 from going on an out, but certain weather conditions will change our plans. 

Wild Fires and Air Quality

Summer season is also Wildfire Season in our part of the world.  Just like the weather, it is vital to keep up to date on Air Quality prior to and during outings. 

Why is Particle Pollution a Problem?

Particle pollution causes a number of serious health problems, including:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Reduced lung function

• Asthma attacks

• Heart attacks 

• Strokes

• It also is linked to early death in people with heart or lung disease

Do I Need to be Concerned?

It’s always smart to pay attention to your air quality, but it’s especially true for people who may be at greater risk. They include:

• People with heart disease.

• People with lung disease, including asthma and ChronicObstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

• Older adults.

• Children and teenagers because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.

• Pregnant people.

• Minority populations.

• Outdoor workers.

Activities outdoors, especially ones involving long exposure such as camping will increase the risk of problems related to reduced Air Quality. 

Air Quality Variance

Viewing different apps will provide different results.  Various Apps used different measurement standards, different sensors and process data differently.  This results in different reported air quality, depending on what app you use or depend on. 

Washington Smoke Information map uses federal agencies (partnership between state, county, federal agencies, and Indian tribes) and national standards for determining air quality. Those standards are a little less strict than state standards.

Washington Department of Ecology smoke map uses the same data but displays Washington standards which tend to be more cautious about human health.  Number may be the same, but color coded results may appear worse than on other sites.

PurpleAir and the EPA use different air quality sensors.  According to the EPA, PurpleAir particulate matter (PM) sensors are less accurate than EPA sensors and overestimate PM2.5 under various conditions.  One argument for PurpleAir is that they have sensors in many areas not monitored by AirNow, allowing for real time measurements and of Air Quality and trend assessment in areas we intend to visit. 

Maps such as EPA AirNow, display AQI (air quality index), which incorporates multiple air characteristics other than smoke to determine Air Quality.  During smoky conditions, it’s more useful to look at maps displaying just the smoke particulate matter in the air.

In Canada, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is used instead of AQI.  AQHI takes into account the health effects and environmental concerns associated with varying concentrations of pollution.

Scouting Recommendations

Scouts BSA does not have a recommendation on Scouting as it relates to Air Quality.  Scouts Canada does (note that Canada uses a different Air Quality scale than the US - Air Quality Health Index vs Air Quality Index):

Air Quality Rating: Moderate to Low

• Programs will run normally. 

• Members with pre-existing health conditions or those with health concerns will be given additional rest or water breaks as required.

Air Quality Rating:  High

• Sessions may be rescheduled to a future date, or when possible, moved indoors. 

• Programs may continue as scheduled but the program may move to more low impact activities with high exertion or strenuous activities reduced to a safe level. 

• Members will be given longer rest and water breaks throughout the activity, and those with pre-existing health conditions (as indicated on their registration form) will be monitored closely. 

• Members may choose not to participate in camp activities or withdraw voluntarily.

Resources

• EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map 

• PurpleAir 

• IQair Air Quality Map 

• Scouts Canada Outdoor Air Quality Guidelines