HOW TO PROTECT YOUR TENANTS FROM SMOKEY ENVIRONMENTS CAUSED BY WILDFIRES
By ACC Environmental Consultants, Inc. Over the last few years California has been increasingly devastated by wildfires with 2018 being the largest wildfire season on record in the State. The poor air quality outside has kept people indoors but it is also important to ensure that the Indoor Air Quality in your building is safe. How do wildfires affect the Indoor Air Quality of my building? Wildfire smoke is primarily made up of carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Particulate matter is typically the major pollutant of concern from wildfire smoke, as the particulate from smoke tends to be very small. This fine particulate matter are respiratory irritants and in high concentrations can cause persistent coughing, production of phlegm wheezing and physical discomfort in breathing. Persons with compromised respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems tend to be more seriously affected, triggering asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung functions…
