Here's How Much an N95 Mask Protects You From Wildfire Smoke

I woke up to an air quality alert this morning, as probably a lot of you did. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has drifted toward the eastern half of the U.S., causing poor air quality in many areas. New York City issued a warning for people with heart or breathing problems to mask up when they're outdoors, and many of us on the east coast should do the same.

Yes, N95 masks work against wildfire smoke

You might be used to thinking of masks as just a COVID thing, but the masks we think of as high quality for protecting against respiratory viruses are the same ones recommended when there are particulates in the air, including wildfire smoke.

The "95" in their name means that they have been tested to block at least 95% of particles that are 2.5 microns or less in width. These particles are able to travel deep into our lungs, causing short-term irritation and contributing to health issues like asthma. People with heart conditions and breathing problems are especially vulnerable to the effects of small particulates, which is why there are masks designed to keep them out, and air quality forecasts that consider how many PM2.5 particles (as they are called) are in the air.

Protect your lungs with these particulate-reducing supplies:

How to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke

Wearing an N95 (or better) mask is an important way to protect yourself, especially when you are outdoors. Check the map at airnow.gov to see the air quality in your area; right now New York City and Washington, D.C. are at "unhealthy" levels. The next level below that is "unhealthy for sensitive groups," which includes children and the elderly, plus anybody who knows that they have medical conditions affecting their heart or lungs.

We have a guide here to safety precautions that you can take when there is wildfire smoke in your area. Make sure that your mask is well fitted, with no gaps around your face. If you can't get an N95, surgical masks or cloth masks are better than nothing--just be aware that they provide significantly less protection.

Staying indoors, with windows closed, is also a good idea if you're able. If you have an air purifier, use it. (You can even build one cheaply with a box fan and furnace filters.) If your air conditioner has a "fresh air" intake, close it--outside air is not fresh right now.

Avoid burning candles or smoking, since those add more particulates to the air. In the meantime, you can help the outdoor air quality by cutting back on how much you drive or operate lawnmowers, and by saving your backyard fire pit gatherings for another time.