The articles written by the PÚBLICO Brasil team are written in the variant of the Portuguese language used in Brazil.
Free access: download the PÚBLICO Brasil application at Android or IOS.
With the worsening of climate change, forest fires have become increasingly frequent events, affecting both Brazil and Portugal. In addition to environmental and economic damage, fires represent a serious threat to public health, with immediate and long-term risks. In this column, I will discuss the health impacts of bushfire smoke and offer practical tips for minimizing exposure and protecting your well-being.
Smoke resulting from fires contains a dangerous combination of toxic substances that, when inhaled, can cause serious damage to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health
Inhaling smoke from fires can trigger a series of adverse reactions in the body. In the respiratory system, the most common symptoms include excess mucus production, bronchospasm (constriction of the airways), pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluid in the lungs) and generalized inflammation, known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Furthermore, exposure to smoke is associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as arrhythmias and heart attacks. In the long term, these exposures can accelerate the loss of lung capacity.
How to protect yourself
To reduce the health risks caused by smoke from fires, some protective measures can be adopted:
1. Monitor conditions: follow updates from official bodies, such as Civil Protection or the website fenos.pt, especially during periods of intense heat and drought, to act quickly.
2. Have an emergency kit: At home, prepare a kit that includes high-filtration masks such as N95 or PFF2 (with an exhalation valve for your comfort), protective glasses and other essential items.
3. Use suitable masks: when going out, use masks capable of filtering fine particles, such as N95 or PFF2 with an expiratory valve, which provide greater comfort during prolonged use.
4. Protect your indoor environment: during times of high pollution, keep windows and doors well sealed. Consider leaving the location if the air quality deteriorates significantly and there is no way to properly seal the space.
5. Air recirculation in the car: when driving in areas affected by smoke, activate the air recirculation mode in the vehicle to prevent the entry of external pollutants. However, do not use this function for long periods, especially when the car is full, to avoid the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
6. Avoid outdoor exercise: Reduce intense physical activity outdoors while there are high levels of pollution in the air.
7. HEPA Air Filters: Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters indoors. These devices are effective at removing fine particles and can help maintain indoor air quality, as long as they are sized correctly for the size of the room.
Fires, unfortunately, have become more frequent in the context of global warming, and their effects on health are not negligible. Taking preventive measures and paying attention to air quality could be key to protecting your health in a world increasingly exposed to these extreme weather events.
