- People in the West now have to protect themselves not only from the novel coronavirus, but from wildfire smoke as well.
- Health experts say an N95 mask is your best bet for protecting yourself from both the novel coronavirus and wildfire smoke.
- Research shows KN95 masks are just as effective.
The 2021 wildfire season is on track to be more destructive and severe than in recent years.
A lengthy drought and record-breaking heat waves have primed the land out West to ignite. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are currently 83 active fires that have burned 1.7 million acres of land. Meanwhile, the jet stream has pulled smoke eastward, bringing polluted air to states across the Midwest and through the Eastern seaboard.
There’s another reason you may want to hold onto your masks a bit longer. Exposure to smoky air comes with negative health consequences, causing an uptick in asthma attacks, visits to the emergency room, and inflammation throughout the body. A well-made face mask will not only protect you from the highly contagious Delta variant but also from the harmful chemicals in wildfire smoke as well.
With all the different types of masks out there, it can be tricky to figure out which type, if any, can keep you safe from the hazardous particles in smoky air and other people’s respiratory droplets.
Here’s a guide to finding a mask that can keep you safe from both the novel coronavirus and wildfire smoke.
Source: healthline