Wildfires are a significant and recurring issue that affects numerous communities worldwide, including Canada. Hotter and drier conditions increase the likelihood of fire ignition and accelerate their spread.

In the northern hemisphere, the wildfire season typically runs from early April to late October. During this period, wildfires spread through forests and grasslands, generating dense smoke that can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away from the fire zone. Canada, known for its vast forests and diverse ecosystems, is particularly prone to wildfires.

During periods of heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk, regardless of age or health status.

Preparedness measures

To keep wildfire smoke out and maintain indoor air quality during wildfire events, take these steps to prepare your home.

• Seal windows and doors, and keep them closed.
• Install a high-quality air filter to remove particulate matter from the incoming air.
• Learn how to use the recirculation settings on your HVAC system instead of pulling in outside air.
• Reduce sources of indoor air pollution by using unscented personal care products and household cleaners.
• Ensure you have at least one functioning carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
• Have air conditioning with humidification/dehumidification capabilities (best humidity levels between 30- 50%).

Reduce exposure to wildfire

Limit outdoor activities and strenuous physical exertion.

Pay attention to air quality indicators like AQHI, special air quality statements, and smoke level indicators in your area.

Seek opportunities for outdoor breaks during smoke-free periods and consider rescheduling activities when conditions improve.

If unable to maintain clean and cool air indoors during a wildfire smoke event, find locations in your community with cleaner air to take a break from the smoke.

What is in the smoke

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gas particles and water vapor that contains pollutants such as:

• Sulphur dioxide. It may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, nasal mucus, choking, cough, and reflex bronchi constriction.
• Nitrogen dioxide. It can harm the respiratory tract, increasing vulnerability to respiratory infections and asthma.
• Carbon monoxide. It is harmful as it binds to hemoglobin, hindering oxygen transport and affecting the body’s organs. Common effects of exposure include fatigue, headaches, confusion, and dizziness due to inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOC). Breathing VOCs can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, cause breathing difficulty, nausea, and harm the central nervous system and organs. Some VOCs are carcinogenic.
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone. Exposure to fine particles can cause eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

Effects on health

The smoke pollution contains invisible fine particles that deeply penetrate lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health effects. These toxins enter the body and can be stored in organs and fat cells, leading to immediate symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• chest pains
• severe cough
• shortness of breath
• wheezing (including asthma attacks)
• heart palpitations (irregular heartbeat)

Long-term health effects

These effects can be devastating and have far-reaching consequences, wreaking havoc on your health and making your life and future miserable. Recovery, if possible, can be long and costly.

Detoxification

Regular perspiration plays a beneficial role in the elimination of toxins that have accumulated and spread throughout the body. If these toxins are not removed, they can potentially mutate cells and lead to serious health problems. By keeping the toxic load low, your body can better cope with the issue.

Regularly utilizing a sauna is a wise approach to effectively cleanse the body of various impurities, including toxins present in wildfire smoke and other environmental pollutants that we are increasingly exposed to.

Detoxification with ozone can also be very powerful

All the cells in the body require a clean environment and oxygen to survive and thrive. However, when the body has been exposed to toxins for an extended period and has lost its ability to eliminate and detoxify them effectively, these toxins can hinder the cells’ ability to absorb oxygen. This is often the underlying cause of many common illnesses.

One of the benefits of ozone therapy for detoxification is its positive impact on almost all systems of the body, including the immune, nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and many more.

Steam saunas options

Check out Recover U products, as they can assist you in dealing with the aftermath of not only wildfire pollution but also other environmental pollutants.

We recommend investing in Recover U steam sauna cabinets, whether used with or without ozone. Our saunas are made of fiberglass and require no plumbing or special electrical outlets, allowing them to be placed anywhere in your house.

They can be used for detoxification, supporting overall health, and protecting against year-round environmental pollutants. Their key benefit is preventing toxin overload.