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Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke

Posted by mamajite @mamajite, Jul 22 12:39pm

Since it seems this is going to be a bad wildfire smoke season, I wanted to make sure our community knows how dangerous it is and how to protect yourself from it. Wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone, but people with lung cancer are even more vulnerable to it. The public health department where I live has a helpful website with more info.
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-safety/safety-injury-prevention/emergency-preparedness/personal-preparedness/wildfire-smoke

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

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brendaelk1558 | @brendaelk1558 | Jul 22 2:37pm

Yes, I am in NW Indiana and a few days last week it was bad! Much better now. thankfully! I stay in a lot, I don't have a life anymore!! We should all have a mask on when we go out I know!

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denzie | @denzie | Jul 24 11:34am

Only Minnesota and Ontario had it worse than Michigan. We have a MERV 15 filter in our furnace and I have two box fans with HEPA filters in my room. You absolutely can see where he fan filtered the smoke in the back of the filter. There's a gray circle mid-filter.

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mamajite | @mamajite | Jul 24 1:17pm
In reply to @denzie "Only Minnesota and Ontario had it worse than Michigan. We have a MERV 15 filter in..." + (show)
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Only Minnesota and Ontario had it worse than Michigan. We have a MERV 15 filter in our furnace and I have two box fans with HEPA filters in my room. You absolutely can see where he fan filtered the smoke in the back of the filter. There's a gray circle mid-filter.

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@denzie I have HEPA filters in every room on top of the MERV13 furnace filter. they make a huge difference in keeping the indoor air free of PM2.5 particles. I'm so glad you were able to use those in your home.

I learned a neat trick from a gal in Calgary for extended smoky periods. she added a carbon pre-filter to her box fan + HEPA filter. she placed it in a window, sealed around the edges and blew outdoor filtered air inside. (Because after a couple days you need oxygen in the house.) I built one and it really works!

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denzie | @denzie | Jul 24 4:14pm
In reply to @mamajite "@denzie I have HEPA filters in every room on top of the MERV13 furnace filter. they..." + (show)
Profile picture for mamajite @mamajite

@denzie I have HEPA filters in every room on top of the MERV13 furnace filter. they make a huge difference in keeping the indoor air free of PM2.5 particles. I'm so glad you were able to use those in your home.

I learned a neat trick from a gal in Calgary for extended smoky periods. she added a carbon pre-filter to her box fan + HEPA filter. she placed it in a window, sealed around the edges and blew outdoor filtered air inside. (Because after a couple days you need oxygen in the house.) I built one and it really works!

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@mamajite great idea.

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daisydays | @daisydays | Jul 25 2:56pm
In reply to @mamajite "@denzie I have HEPA filters in every room on top of the MERV13 furnace filter. they..." + (show)
Profile picture for mamajite @mamajite

@denzie I have HEPA filters in every room on top of the MERV13 furnace filter. they make a huge difference in keeping the indoor air free of PM2.5 particles. I'm so glad you were able to use those in your home.

I learned a neat trick from a gal in Calgary for extended smoky periods. she added a carbon pre-filter to her box fan + HEPA filter. she placed it in a window, sealed around the edges and blew outdoor filtered air inside. (Because after a couple days you need oxygen in the house.) I built one and it really works!

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Hello @mamajite
What a great idea ! Thank you 😊
Daisy

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daisydays | @daisydays | Jul 25 2:58pm
In reply to @denzie "Only Minnesota and Ontario had it worse than Michigan. We have a MERV 15 filter in..." + (show)
Profile picture for denzie @denzie

Only Minnesota and Ontario had it worse than Michigan. We have a MERV 15 filter in our furnace and I have two box fans with HEPA filters in my room. You absolutely can see where he fan filtered the smoke in the back of the filter. There's a gray circle mid-filter.

Jump to this post

@denzie Hello…
Such a great idea ! Thanks 😊
Daisy

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victoriaa | @victoriaa | Jul 26 6:59pm

I had no idea about the various filters I should look into. Thnk you all

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mamajite | @mamajite | Jul 27 1:54am
In reply to @victoriaa "I had no idea about the various filters I should look into. Thnk you all" + (show)
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I had no idea about the various filters I should look into. Thnk you all

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@victoriaa let me know if you need any help.

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vic83 | @vic83 | Jul 27 9:41am

I used to just listen to weather report, now I check the air quality report everyday (MN Pollution Control). In Minnesota one couldn't go out in the winter because of the cold and ice, and now in the summer we can't go out because of the poor air quality!
I have a high-quality filter for my air/heating unit (additional benefit less dusting!), and in my car I asked for a Hepa filter. I think I will also get a separate room air purifier.

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mamajite | @mamajite | Jul 27 1:39pm
In reply to @vic83 "I used to just listen to weather report, now I check the air quality report everyday..." + (show)
Profile picture for vic83 @vic83

I used to just listen to weather report, now I check the air quality report everyday (MN Pollution Control). In Minnesota one couldn't go out in the winter because of the cold and ice, and now in the summer we can't go out because of the poor air quality!
I have a high-quality filter for my air/heating unit (additional benefit less dusting!), and in my car I asked for a Hepa filter. I think I will also get a separate room air purifier.

Jump to this post

@vic83 I bought a monitor for CO2 and PM2.5 particles that I use in the house (I have a couple from Temtop). and that helps me know when I need more filtration, more oxygen etc.

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