Disclaimer: This piece was written before the recent wildfire outbreaks in California and beyond. Our entire team at Clarity would like to express our deepest gratitude to first responders and firefighters during this unprecedented time.
We have decided to focus our weekly blog posts over the next few weeks on air quality data and wildfire season to provide insight into the effects of poor air quality on our lives and communities.
As many of us continue to deal with the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are also being confronted with the harsh realities of wildfire season. As the pandemic and wildfire season collide, we need answers to combat both crises.
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis, a majority of businesses have recommended their employees to work from home to flatten the curve. Yet the emergence of wildfire season and the poor air quality that comes with it poses a new threat to the health of those who work indoors and outdoors. Residents in the Bay Area are already facing the effects of air pollution brought on by the recent wildfires. The air quality may get worse, posing health risks to those exposed. The CDC recommends keeping indoor air clean as efficiently as possible.
Vulnerable citizens are at most risk. Those with preexisting health conditions are at higher risk for the negative health effects of air pollution. Those with respiratory or heart conditions and the elderly are at an increased risk for a poor health status when exposed to bad air quality. The vulnerability in the lower income communities means their jobs require them to work outdoors and cannot rely on the safety of remote working.
The vulnerability of the poor stems from economic and social factors. Their homes may also reside in areas with poor air quality during non-wildfire seasons.
The elderly are at a particular vulnerability when exposed to air pollution. Research has shown that seniors who are exposed to airborne particles are at an increased risk for respiratory infection. People who work in agriculture and construction, outdoor sports enthusiasts and those who live near major roads with high traffic are also at an increased risk for poor health status. The public health concern with wildfires is even more significant in light of the ongoing pandemic.
As wildfires continue to be a threat, having real-time air quality data is crucial to help those with health vulnerabilities make informed decisions. Our platform at Clarity helps to provide air quality monitoring data over a wide range of geographical locations. Many governments and organizations are checking air quality data to understand the levels of air pollution in their regions.
Another important consideration is that when air quality is poor and people are quarantined due to the coronavirus pandemic, people may experience psychological stress as a consequence of staying indoors for extended periods. Furthermore, the combination of wildfire smoke and the ongoing pandemic are creating combined psychological stressors. This is why it is important that we have robust air quality data so people can make informed decisions about their health and their local environment.
This summer, the combination of wildfire season and the pandemic should encourage us to think about the long-term health and well-being of our communities. Moving forward, we need tools and resources to improve air quality and combat climate change. As a result, supporting our communities during these unprecedented times with clean air monitoring networks and data is a crucial step moving forward. As these two crises come together, it's vital to stay safe and healthy.