Are there practical measures that schools and child care programs can take to reduce the health risks of wildfire smoke?
- Wildfire smoke – a mixture of particles, gases and water vapour – can contribute to a range of symptoms and health effects, from headaches and eye, nose and throat irritation, to shortness of breath and asthma attacks. Children are at increased risk from exposure to wildfire smoke because their bodies, brains and lungs are still developing. They also inhale more smoke because they breathe more for their size and are more physically active than adults.
- Prepare a climate readiness plan that includes measures to address wildfire smoke. Your plan should include measures to keep wildfire smoke from coming indoors, guidance on the use of ventilation and filtration systems, action plans to guide indoor and outdoor activities during a wildfire smoke event, and criteria to determine if the space is no longer safe and should be vacated.
- Review Health Canada’s Guidance for Cleaner Air Spaces during Wildfire Smoke Events to assess whether your facility is adequately equipped to keep children and staff safe during a wildfire smoke event. For example, is it fitted with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or additional/portable air filtration and air conditioning systems? Are there ways to prevent infiltration of outdoor air pollutants?
- If your facility is not equipped to maintain cleaner air spaces indoors during a wildfire smoke event, check with local authorities to identify possible alternate locations, such as a community centre.
- Especially if moving offsite won’t be feasible, designate specific room(s) as cleaner air spaces, suitable to the number of anticipated occupants. Use portable air conditioners for cooling and portable air cleaners (commercial or DIY) within these designated spaces.
- Take action during a wildfire smoke event to keep indoor air healthy and reduce children’s exposures
- Activate your plan. Depending on your facility’s capacity, this may mean remaining on site and relying on the building’s air filtration system, portable air cleaners and/or other measures as outlined below. Or it might mean moving to an alternate location.
- Prioritize keeping cool if there is a wildfire smoke event and extreme heat event occurring at the same time. Learn more about measures to protect children during combined extreme heat and wildfire smoke events here: FAQ – Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat
- Prevent wildfire smoke from coming indoors by keeping windows and doors closed as much as possible, and limiting the use of bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans (these fans create negative pressure that can pull pollution in from outdoors).
- Use a high-quality air filter in the ventilation system, with the highest particle removal rating, based on manufacturer’s specifications. Change the air filter regularly, or more often as needed, during wildfire smoke events.
- Use portable air cleaners (commercial or do-it yourself/DIY) to reduce indoor levels of fine particulate matter (sometimes referred to as PM2.5), the primary pollutant of concern in smoke. Learn more about portable air cleaners here: FAQ – Portable Air Cleaners
- Use a low-cost PM2.5 air sensor to compare indoor and outdoor pollutant levels. This is a good way to check how well the filtration system is working (e.g., HVAC system or portable air cleaners). Information on current outdoor PM2.5 levels across Canada can be accessed at aqmap.ca. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has guidance on using air sensors during wildfire events.
- Assess the risks of outdoor activities. Check local air quality conditions, air quality advisories and special air quality statements, to find out if wildfire smoke is affecting your area. Taking into account children’s greater vulnerability to the risks posed by air pollution and other factors (e.g., children with asthma or other respiratory conditions), use the local air quality advisories to help determine whether outdoor activities should take place, be moved to an indoor location or rescheduled. Consider cancelling outdoor activities such as recess and sports events when the AQHI is 7 or above. Learn more about the AQHI here: FAQ – Local Air Quality – Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
- A well-made well-fitting respirator type mask (e.g., N95) can help reduce exposure to fine smoke particles. These should not be used by children under 2 years of age, people who have trouble breathing while wearing the respirator or who need help in removing the respirator. Learn more at Health Canada’s resource, Using a respirator mask during wildfire smoke events.
- If wildfire smoke conditions persist or worsen, consider alternate locations
- Continue to monitor air quality conditions as they can change rapidly, and consider alternate locations if your setting is unable to maintain cleaner indoor spaces during severe or prolonged wildfire smoke events. Follow advice of local and provincial authorities including advice on accessing cleaner air spaces.
- In the event of a combined wildfire smoke and heat event, if you do not have air conditioning and indoor temperatures are approaching dangerous levels, and there is too much wildfire smoke to open windows for cooling, the safest option is to discontinue the use of the space and move to a location with air cooling and filtration
- Additional helpful information on protecting children and staff during a wildfire event can be found at these links:
Click here for a compilation of the references used in developing this FAQ and additional helpful resources.
Click here for more FAQs: Climate-related Indoor Air Quality Concerns in Learning Settings