September 13, 2022 - If you've been breathing the smoky air in Metro Vancouver over the past four days, you could be at elevated risk of COVID-19.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control warns of the harms to human health from wildfire smoke — and, in a region that's been under an air quality advisory since Sept. 10, the BCCDC's fact sheet on Wildfire Smoke and Your Health offers up some timely advice.

How does air pollution caused by wildfire smoke affect your health?

• Smoky air makes it harder for your lungs to get oxygen into your blood.
• Wildfire smoke can irritate your respiratory system and cause an immune response, which may lead to inflammation that affects other parts of your body.

Does a face mask protect me from wildfire smoke?

• Well-fitted respirators offer the most effective protection from fine particulate matter. Respirators are those marked with letter and number combinations, such as N95, KN95 and KF94.
• A good fit is the most important thing for filtration of particulate matter.

Read more here.

Source: <https://www.nsnews.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/wildfire-smoke-can-increase-risk-of-covid-19-ear-infections-5814340>