Wildfire Smoke

When the AQI is 72 or higher (PM2.5 = 20.5 µg/m3) where outdoor work is occurring, the University is responsible for the following:

1. Communicating wildfire smoke hazards;
2. Providing wildfire smoke safety training initially (before potential exposure) and annually thereafter; and
3. Providing respiratory protection for voluntary use to personnel upon request.

When the AQI is 351 or higher (PM2.5 = 250.5 µg/m3) where outdoor work is occurring, University units are required to implement all of the requirements listed above, plus take these additional actions:

1. Ensure workers experiencing symptoms that require immediate medical attention are moved to a location with sufficient clean air.
2. Directly distribute N95 respirators to personnel for voluntary use.

When the AQI is beyond the AQI scale and the airborne concentration of PM2.5 is 555 or more micrograms of particulate per cubic meter of ambient air (µg/m3) where outdoor work is occurring, University units are required to implement all of the requirements listed above, except personnel must be provided with, and required to wear, one of the following respirators equipped with P100 filters:

1. Loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirator; or
2. Full-facepiece air-purifying respirator; or
3. Full-facepiece powered air-purifying respirator; or
4. Other respirators with an assigned protection factor of 25 or more.

Check the Environmental Protection Agency AirNow website for a reliable report of the current and forecasted air quality in your area.

• AirNow provides the hourly AQI and a rating of how clean or polluted the outdoor air is, along with any potential health effects and recommended steps to reduce exposure. 
• Also check the Fire and Smoke Map to get the AQI closest to your location.

The best way to protect yourself against the potentially harmful effects of wildfire smoke is to reduce wildfire smoke exposure, for example, by seeking clean air shelters and cleaner air spaces. We recommend keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible to avoid worsening the indoor air quality.

University buildings that use heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to filter indoor air typically remove up to 90% of particles in wildfire smoke. Indoor portable air cleaners can help supplement mechanical ventilation indoors and can be utilized in buildings without HVAC systems.

UW Facilities has a limited inventory of portable air cleaners that are prioritized for buildings on the Seattle campus without mechanical ventilation during wildfire smoke events. Units should reach out to the UW Facilities Care Team to determine availability.

• It should be noted that smoke odors would still be noticeable, even with additional filtration.
• If building occupants continue to experience symptoms from smoke indoors, an N95 respirator worn voluntarily can add another layer of protection.

In naturally ventilated buildings (buildings without mechanical HVAC systems), the indoor temperatures may rise due to windows being closed. If the room becomes unbearably hot, portable electric fans and air-conditioning units can be used to cool the space. Check with your unit leadership and the building coordinator or facility manager to ensure the facility electrical system can meet the energy demand.

Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning vegetation, building materials, and other materials. Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. Even someone who is healthy can get sick if there is enough smoke in the air. Breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including:

• Coughing
• Trouble breathing normally
• Stinging eyes
• A scratchy throat
• Runny nose
• Irritated sinuses
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• An asthma attack
• Tiredness
• Fast heartbeat

Older adults, pregnant women, children, and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke.

• Stay hydrated by drinking water during heavy smoke events.
• Stay inside, preferably in a room with HEPA filtered air and with the doors and windows closed. Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed.
• Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not burn candles or use gas, propane, or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products, or vacuum. All of these can increase air pollution indoors.
• Take it easier during smoky times to reduce how much smoke you inhale and avoid outdoor strenuous activities.
• Know your air quality. Stay tuned to local media for changes in smoke or weather conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Now website is the preferred way to check your local air quality.
• Long-term smoke events usually have periods when the air is better. When air quality improves, even temporarily, air out your home to reduce indoor air pollution.