Creating Clean Air Spaces During Wildland Fire Smoke Episodes: Web Summit Summary

Effective strategies to reduce indoor air pollutant concentrations during wildfire smoke events are critically needed. Worldwide, communities in areas prone to wildfires may suffer from annual smoke exposure events lasting from days to weeks. In addition, there are many areas of the world where high pollution events are common and where methods employed to reduce exposure to pollution may have relevance to wildfire smoke pollution episodes and vice versa. This article summarizes a recent virtual meeting held by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to share research, experiences, and other information that can inform best practices for creating clean air spaces during wildland fire smoke events. The meeting included presentations on the public health impacts of wildland fire smoke; public health agencies' experiences and resilience efforts; and methods to improve indoor air quality, including the effectiveness of air filtration methods [e.g., building heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and portable, free-standing air filtration systems]. These presentations and related research indicate that filtration has been demonstrated to effectively improve indoor air quality during high ambient air pollution events; however, several research questions remain regarding the longevity and maintenance of filtration equipment during and after smoke events, effects on the pollution mixture, and degree to which adverse health effects are reduced.

Introduction

Wildland fire smoke is a global public health issue. Many communities are exposed to smoke from wildland fires, both wild and prescribed burns, for days, weeks, or even months in a given year. As wildfire seasons have lengthened and grown in severity due to a combination of climate change (1) and accumulated fuels within the landscape, wildland fire smoke episodes have worsened. The number of individuals adversely impacted by these smoke events is growing as the wildland urban interface (WUI) expands and at-risk populations increase. Wildland fire smoke can infiltrate indoors, emphasizing the importance for enhancing the science to inform decisions for creating cleaner indoor air spaces where residents can seek refuge. Thus, EPA's Office of Research and Development sponsored a web summit to review the current state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of strategies to improve indoor air quality during wildland fire events.

The web summit, Clean Air Spaces: Indoor Air Filtration to Protect Public Health During Wildland Fire Smoke Episodes – What are the Knowns and Unknowns? included 15 presentations offering insights from multiple levels of government and the scientific research community. This virtual meeting brought together experts (Table 1) from across the U.S. and Canada to share information and identify key knowledge gaps. Table 2 summarizes important resources discussed by the speakers. Although this web summit had a North American focus, many of the mitigation strategies and the challenges discussed here can translate to other parts of the world where wildfires are common. This article provides a summary of the information presented during this meeting while acknowledging that there exists more research on addressing wildfire smoke public health effects and other high pollution events in other parts of the world.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Presenters and presentation titles.

TABLE 2

Table 2. Overview of on-line resources referenced by presenters.

Presenters listed in Table 1: Wayne Cascio, Sarah Henderson, and Jeff Wagner summarized the health impacts of wildland fire smoke. Sarah Coefield, Julie Fox, and Peter Lahm discussed approaches to reduce public exposure to smoke through community preparedness and response. Andrew Persily, Jeffery Williams, Kris Ray, Rengie Chan, Jeffrey Siegel, and Terry Brennan discussed improving indoor air quality during wildland fires and other high ambient air concentration periods. Michael Bergin, Ryan Allen, and Joseph Beres discussed improving indoor air quality during non-wildfire high pollution episodes.

Health Impacts of Smoke Exposure

Primary pollutants emitted directly from wildland fires and secondary pollutants formed in the atmosphere include many pollutants of concern for public health, such as particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and ozone (O₃). While fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and O₃ are included in EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) calculations used to communicate air quality information to the public, other pollutants including coarse PM (PM_10−2.5), ultrafine particles, and toxic gases, are omitted. Ongoing research has aimed to characterize physical and chemical emissions from wildfires to inform decision-makers and reduce public exposure to wildfire smoke [Wagner, Henderson, Table 1, (2–6)]. Wildfires that occur in urban areas may burn building materials resulting in emissions that may include combustion products of petroleum, plastics, asbestos, fiberglass, lead, and other toxic metals (7). Panelists highlighted the need for improved assessment of the physical and chemical characteristics of wildland fire smoke and how these unique characteristics may impact human health.

Individuals living near and downwind from wildland fires may be affected by smoke exposures, with health impacts that vary by individual susceptibility and vulnerability, duration and concentration of smoke exposure, fire and smoke behavior, and fuel type. Wildland fire smoke exposure is linked to a wide range of health effects including eye and throat irritation, increased risk of respiratory infections, and exacerbation of existing lung diseases (8, 9). Recent studies also suggest a potential association between wildfire smoke exposures and cardiac morbidity and all-cause mortality [Cascio, Table 1, (9)]. A recent EPA study found an increase in emergency department visits related to heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory effects related to smoke exposure in California, especially among adults ages 65 and over (10). Several studies observed an association between ambient PM and adverse birth outcomes [Allen, Table 1, (11, 12)], although birth outcomes studies specific to wildland fire smoke exposure are limited (13–15).

At-risk populations, including individuals with preexisting cardiovascular (CVD) or respiratory disease, children, older adults (age 65 and above), pregnant women, and fetuses, now account for 27% of the U.S. population (16–18) and future trends estimate that 45% of the U.S. population will develop some form of CVD by 2035 (19). Respiratory symptoms related to wildfire smoke, including impacts in asthmatics and children, have been documented in a number of studies (20–22). Within older adult populations, there is evidence that wildland fire smoke-related health risks are higher for women and African-Americans (23). Recent EPA research observed the increased risk of PM_2.5-related cardiopulmonary hospitalizations among older adults was similar during wildfire smoke and non-smoke events, while the risk of asthma-related hospitalizations was higher during smoke days (24).

State of Technology to Improve Indoor Air

Reduce Air Infiltration

Sealing and positively pressurizing buildings can prevent smoke infiltration. Typically, new buildings are better-sealed than older buildings and have lower air change rates. Regardless of building design, occupants can seal exterior doors, windows, and unused vents using towels, duct tape, plastic, and other readily available materials, and can strategically open and close interior doors to reduce infiltration (Siegel, Brennan, Table 1). Better sealing the building and increasing building intake above exhaust (using window units if the building is not already equipped to bring in fresh air) can positively pressurize the building, thereby reducing polluted air leaks. However, during cold climate conditions, care must be taken when positively pressurizing a building as the likelihood of serious moisture problems in the walls is increased. If the fresh air intake is reduced, it is important to monitor PM and VOC concentrations, which may increase due to indoor sources (25, 26).

Filter Indoor Air

Mechanical and electronic filtration that does not produce ozone can effectively remove PM from indoor air (Brennan, Siegel, Williams, Table 1). Mechanical filters are described by their minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) 1-16 and HEPA standards (ASHRAE 52.2) (27). The efficiency and the size range of PM removal varies with the MERV ratings with the smallest particles and highest removals achieved with HEPA filters and MERV 13 and greater. Unsurprisingly, studies have shown higher MERV filters are more effective at cleaning indoor air than lower MERV filters (28). The presenters recommended MERV 13 or greater filters for wildland fire smoke filtration, since these filters have some effectiveness removing the smallest particles (0.3–1.0 μm) that are most common in wildfire smoke. It is important to note that real-world removal efficiencies of mechanical filters are highly variable (29) due to user error, pressure drop across the filter as loading occurs that leads to filter bypass and flow reduction, manufacturer-reported filter lifetimes irrelevant for high concentration events, and filters' variable removal across particle sizes (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. Actions to improve indoor air during wildland fire smoke events: advantages and challenges.

Currently, no national building guidelines or standards for wildland fire smoke-prone areas exist, though California has a new policy requiring improved filtration (MERV 13) for new construction (30). The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) ventilation/indoor air quality and filtration standards (62.1, 62.2, 52.2, 170, 189.1, 189.3) do not address wildland fire smoke and have several limitations including the omittance of some critical operation and maintenance procedures. Additionally, the ASHRAE standards are not intended to provide protection for at-risk populations. Efforts to improve such standards may better prepare communities for wildland fire smoke events (Persily, Table 1).

Studies show that both HVAC filtration and PACs can significantly improve indoor air quality during wildland fire smoke events [Williams, Table 1, (31)]. HVAC systems operated based on a thermostat setting (i.e., operation triggered by temperature) filter air only while the fan is running, roughly 20 percent of the time (Siegel, Table 1). Residents may be more likely to run PACs continuously, though usage can be reduced due to maintenance issues, electricity cost, or noise levels, especially on high settings (Allen, Table 1). Unlike HVAC filters, PACs typically clean a single room and must be sized appropriately (Brennan, Table 1). Occupants can use a PAC in one room, move a PAC between rooms, or purchase PACs for multiple rooms. Due to the high cost of PACs (e.g., $100–$1,000, USD), residents sometimes choose lower-cost alternatives such as a box fan with an attached HVAC filter. This box fan system is being tested by multiple agencies and organizations for effectiveness and safety (Ray, Table 1). One limitation to air filtration is the need for electricity, which may not be available due to power outages or limited infrastructure. Under these conditions closing doors and windows during smoke events is effective at reducing indoor PM concentrations, although they should be opened back up after the air quality improves (32).

PM_2.5 was the pollutant most frequently discussed during the web summit, but black carbon (BC), VOCs, and formaldehyde were also highlighted. Although filters can remove PM_2.5 and BC, less is known about the effectiveness of these filtration methods to remove gaseous air pollutants in indoor air environments during wildfires (33–35). Furthermore, steps to reduce infiltration of ambient air into the indoor environment may increase the concentrations of pollutants associated with indoor air pollution sources.

Health Benefits

Air filtration studies have primarily evaluated health outcomes during pollution events unrelated to wildland fire smoke. Results from Shanghai and Beijing (Bergin, Table 1), woodsmoke impacted homes, and Mongolia with indoor tobacco smoke indicate PACs reduce indoor PM_2.5 concentrations and improve health markers for multiple at-risk populations including children, asthmatics, fetuses, and pregnant women (36–41). Moreover, reductions to indoor PM_2.5 concentrations are robust to modest departures from full PAC usage compliance (42). While these studies may not draw direct comparisons to wildland fire events, they are instructive about the health benefits associated with reducing indoor PM_2.5 exposures.

Economic Benefits

The costs of wildland fire-related premature mortality and respiratory hospital admissions in the U.S. are estimated to be tens to hundreds of billions of dollars per year (43). Researchers examining a 2003 California wildfire found health-related economic benefits outweighed the cost for both a higher-rated MERV filter and the increased electricity cost of running PACs specifically in homes with older adults and the general population when used for multiple smoke events [Chan, Table 1, (15, 44)].

Measure Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollutant measurements are necessary to understand potential health benefits from improving indoor air quality. Multiple speakers suggested that homeowners consider using low-cost sensors to check their indoor air quality. Low-cost sensors are useful to qualitatively monitor indoor and ambient air quality to assess relative changes and the impacts of indoor air pollution reduction strategies. In some cases, sensors are incorporated into air filtration devices to improve their performance and user engagement. Care must be taken to select sensors that perform adequately at high concentrations and wildfire relevant calibrations may be needed (45, 46).

Efforts to Reduce Exposure Through Community Preparedness and Response

Air Quality Response Program

The USFS Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program was created to proactively prepare communities for managing the impacts of wildland fires on public health by predicting and mitigating wildland fire smoke exposure through modeling, monitoring, and messaging (Lahm, Table 1). The program uses fixed and temporary air quality monitoring equipment to better understand ambient air pollutant concentrations. Air Resource Advisors are dispatched to wildland fires to assist with understanding and predicting smoke impacts on the public and fire-fighting personnel. They analyze, summarize, and communicate these impacts to incident teams, air quality regulators, and the public.

Community Preparedness

It is critical for the public to be educated about and understand actions they can take (such as sealing their homes and using filtration) to improve indoor air quality during smoke events. In addition to home environments, it is important to create cleaner classrooms, workplaces, and vehicle cabins, during wildland fire smoke events (Fox, Table 1). The strategies discussed here are specific for North America and different approaches may be needed in other parts of the world where infrastructure and building codes vary greatly.

Classrooms are a high priority because children are an at-risk population. Classrooms may present a challenge because they have high occupancy density and often lack adequate ventilation [Chan, Table 1, (25)].

Preparing workplaces for smoke events may require facilities, environmental health and safety, human resource departments, and managers working together to develop a smoke preparedness and response plan. During the 2018 Camp Fire, indoor PM_2.5 in CARB's Sacramento office decreased when MERV 13 filters were replaced with MERV 16 filters and the office adopted better door control to limit smoke infiltration (Williams, Table 1).

Vehicle air filters are effective at reducing in-cabin PM_2.5 concentrations, particularly if the cabin air is recirculated. However, it takes time to filter the air, so short trips or those with frequent stops where doors or windows are open, provide little protection. A case study in Uganda found that using a cabin air filter in recirculation mode decreases PM_2.5 concentrations but increases CO₂ concentrations significantly. A cabin air filter in pass-through mode reduces PM_2.5 concentrations, though not as effectively, while only modestly raising CO₂ concentrations (Beres, Table 1).

Case Studies of Community Preparedness

In 2017, Missoula County, Montana experienced a record-breaking year for wildfire smoke. Following that wildfire season, MCCHD took measures to heighten community preparedness for future wildfire smoke events. MCCHD provided readily available smoke forecasts during wildfire smoke events, enhanced community awareness of smoke-related impacts, and provided approaches to improve indoor air quality. In 2017, MCCHD partnered with Climate Smart Missoula (CSM), a local nonprofit organization, to provide PACs to at-risk community members. In 2018, this partnership provided filtered air to more than 500 children by dispensing PACs to local daycares and preschools. Moving forward, MCCHD has secured commitments from new and remodeled schools in Missoula County to use HVAC filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of at least 13 during wildfire smoke events. In response to growing concerns about wildfire smoke events, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has proposed changes to the Administrative Rules of Montana as they pertain to healthy learning environments in public schools to require a switch from HVAC filters with MERV 8 (no rated effectiveness for 0.3–1.0 μm) to MERV 13 (with at least 50% reduction for the 0.3–1.0 μm size range) (Coefield, Table 1).

The Washington Wildfire Smoke Impacts Advisory Group, comprised of state, local, tribal, and academic professionals, developed technical guidance and fact-based materials focused on communication, school and outdoor event closures, and air sensor measurements. Templates keep communication materials consistent but adaptable for location and audience. School cancellation recommendations in Washington are discussed in the WA Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and are based on the Washington Air Quality Advisory Guidance for Public Health Actions, the expected length of the smoke episode, and driving visibility. Schools across Washington have varying HVAC systems; therefore, solutions must be tailored to each school depending on the air filtration systems available. These efforts highlight the need to balance scientific evidence, social infrastructure, and political will to create realistic and beneficial guidance and public policy¹.

In both Washington and Montana, summertime heat is a concern. Many homes and public buildings do not have air conditioning and rely on open windows to cool indoor spaces. Closing windows to reduce infiltration of wildland fire smoke indoors may increase indoor temperatures and the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and premature death, especially in at-risk populations. Many residents must choose between risks associated with heat and risks from smoke exposure. The MCCHD recommends that residents who can tolerate some smoke exposure open their windows at night to let the cooler air inside and, once they have closed their windows, use PACs with true HEPA filters to reduce indoor PM_2.5 concentrations. Residents who cannot tolerate smoke and do not have air conditioning may need to relocate.

Conclusions and Remaining Research Questions

Wildland fires are a growing public health challenge within the US and globally, particularly as their magnitude and frequency are expected to continue to increase in the coming years due to the changing climate. The smoke from these fires is associated with adverse health effects and may be especially harmful to at-risk populations. Extensive research on indoor air quality and the experiences in areas with high ambient air pollution provide a basis for strategies to reduce the impact of wildland fire smoke. These strategies may vary for different parts of the world where socio-demographic factors, infrastructure, and environment can be vastly different despite the similar air quality challenges posed by wildfires. The expert panel brought together for this web summit highlighted that, while much information is known about the impacts of smoke from wildland fires and strategies to improve indoor air quality, substantial knowledge gaps remain. Collectively, the panelists raised several research questions regarding wildland fire smoke. Those directly related to indoor air exposures during wildland fire smoke events include the following:

• How do environmental and socio-demographic factors affect a community's susceptibility to health effects associated with wildland fire smoke?

• What are the best practices for addressing wildfire smoke-related indoor air quality impacts on communities with diverse infrastructure?

• What is the best way to communicate the health effects of smoke exposure to communities who have grown accustomed to smoke?

• What steps are individuals willing to take to protect their health and how do these actions differ based on socioeconomic status?

• How does combustion of different types of biomass and structural materials impact air pollutant mixtures, including particle size, and affect smoke infiltration indoors?

• How do health impacts vary based on the concentrations and length of smoke exposure?

◦ What are the effects of exposure to high concentrations of smoke (both particles and gases) lasting a few hours compared to lower concentrations lasting weeks or months?

◦ What effects are associated with repeated high concentration, short-term exposures that occur over multiple months and/or years?

◦ What intervention strategies are effective and practical to reduce short-term exposures for those at highest-risk and long-term exposures for all?

• What are the impacts of high temperatures and smoke impacts, especially in areas where air conditioning is limited?

• What are the best practices that homeowners or building operators can follow for improving indoor air quality during wildland fires?

• How can interventions such as PACs, clean air shelters and spaces, closures, and evacuations best be used?

• If air filtration devices are used:

◦ How does the effectiveness of these devices vary (e.g., lower-cost and lower-efficiency filtration options)?

◦ What is the effectiveness and lifespan of different filters and filter configurations for improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke conditions; under what operating conditions?

• Without building HVAC systems or PACs, are there benefits for staying indoors during extended wildland fire events?

• Can low-cost air quality sensors or “smart” air cleaners with integrated sensors be used to evaluate and inform steps to improve indoor air quality during wildland fires?

Webinar participants strongly supported opportunities to continue dialogue, enhance coordination and collaboration, and leverage on-going and future research efforts to expand our understanding of ways to reduce exposures to wildland fire smoke by improving indoor air quality during such events.

Author Contributions

GD, KB, AH, and BH-S developed primary text, including table and figure. GH, SC, and CN provided substantive edits. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Disclaimer

The United States Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development sponsored the web summit described here. This summary has been subjected to Agency review and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Agency nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of U.S. EPA staff members Stacey Katz, Gail Robarge, and Christina Baghdikian for facilitating the web summit sessions. We wish to thank the following presenters who shared their perspectives through informative and thoughtful presentations, including Sarah Henderson, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control; Peter Lahm, U.S. Forest Service; Wayne Cascio, U.S. EPA; Kris Ray, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Jeff Wagner, California Department of Health; Julie Fox, Washington State Department of Health; Jeffrey Siegel, Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto; Andrew Persily and Steven Emmerich, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Jeffery Williams, California Air Resources Board; Rengie Chan, Indoor Environment Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Michael Bergin, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University; Ryan Allen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University; Terry Brennan, Camroden Associates Inc; and Joseph Beres, U.S. Department of State.

Footnote

1. ^Washington State Department of Health Smoke Toolkit (https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/SmokeFromFires/SmokefromFiresToolkits) Last accessed, 10/15/2019.

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