How has the wildfire smoke in Seattle been?

10KStreams

Minnesota has been under an air quality alert for what feels like weeks now. Have any Washington locals noticed any adverse health effects?

Rhea_starstorm

Im in Portland and the air quality was really bad last week. Id check out air quality reports for seattle

LexiconGrrl

It’s coming and going. Luckily we’re on the water so when we get a “marine push”, the clear ocean air clears us out for a few days. But yeah, it’s been bad this past week. I’ve heard a new phrase on the news this summer too: “smokewave”.

10KStreams

LexiconGrrl wrote: »

It’s coming and going. Luckily we’re on the water so when we get a “marine push”, the clear ocean air clears us out for a few days. But yeah, it’s been bad this past week. I’ve heard a new phrase on the news this summer too: “smokewave”.

We usually get the same thing here off of Lake Superior, but winds from the east have been lacking. It's been a near constant haze of a vaguely sauna smell.

waffledog

Ugh, that's awful news. Fingers crossed things change by the time PAX rolls around. How would you even deal with that - dust masks?

CKing

waffledog wrote: »

Ugh, that's awful news. Fingers crossed things change by the time PAX rolls around. How would you even deal with that - dust masks?

I think that's what my friend's been wearing. I know she's been wearing some kind of mask. She posted something the other day about the air quality being the seconds worst in the world that day. I'm hoping it ends up like last year. I had very little issue.

Burtletoy

I had a five minute conversation with a co-worker at about 630 today about if the thing we were looking at was the moon or the sun.

So, yeah, it's not great right now

hobbseltoff

The air quality is moving into "unhealthy" territory. If you're sensitive to smoke or have a medical condition that makes it harder for you to absorb oxygen, it's recommended that you wear a N95 or P100 respirator. PDF from WA DOH

LexiconGrrl

Just to put the air quality thing into perspective...

Indoor air is fine. You’ll be inside most of the time.

If you’ve got a special sensitivity to air particulate, you may be bothered. The DOH recommendation above is a great resource, and precautions are probably a good idea, so do what feels right for you.

If you have healthy lungs, the air quality right now - though worse than usual - isn’t really something to freak out about. I mean, don’t go running any marathons in it or anything, but it’s vastly better than say, sitting in a bar that allows cigarette smoking, hanging out by a campfire on a windy day, burning incense in a small room, or even just smoking a joint.

Also, there’s a reasonable chance it will be cleared up for PAX, so there’s that.

Solelron

at least, for the moment, its not as bad as last year where we had Ash dropping in Seattle near the end of the Con.

LexiconGrrl

Solelron wrote: »

at least, for the moment, its not as bad as last year where we had Ash dropping in Seattle near the end of the Con.

OMG somebody should TOTALLY cosplay as Ash and Groot this year.

JobiwanKenobi

LexiconGrrl wrote: »

Solelron wrote: »

at least, for the moment, its not as bad as last year where we had Ash dropping in Seattle near the end of the Con.

OMG somebody should TOTALLY cosplay as Ash and Groot this year.

Which Ash? Ash Ketchum? Ash from the Evil Dead? I suppose that either would work, but inquiring minds want to know...

wolfemancs

Another article by University of Washington medicine. Reads a little less sensationalized than some of the other stuff out there for those who are typically healthy people:
https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/health/forest-fire-smoke-health

TL;DR/For reference:
Says around an AQI of 200 (100 for sensitive populations), you should consider changing behavior or possibly wearing a mask, although most masks are ineffective against this size of particulate.
Says around an AQI of 150, you should consider exercising indoors.
Linked EPA .gov website says today's Seattle Area rating is 178.

IncreaseBlue

Usually I forgo allergy meds when I come to Seattle since the air is far less dusty than good ol' AZ. I may have to reconsider that with this information.

Dreamwriter

LexiconGrrl wrote: »

but it’s vastly better than say, sitting in a bar that allows cigarette smoking, hanging out by a campfire on a windy day, burning incense in a small room, or even just smoking a joint.

Also, there’s a reasonable chance it will be cleared up for PAX, so there’s that.

I was reading that being outside all day in it when it was at its worst would be equivalent to smoking seven cigarettes. But I agree, it’ll likely be gone by the time PAX comes around.

wolfemancs

Dreamwriter wrote: »

LexiconGrrl wrote: »

but it’s vastly better than say, sitting in a bar that allows cigarette smoking, hanging out by a campfire on a windy day, burning incense in a small room, or even just smoking a joint.

Also, there’s a reasonable chance it will be cleared up for PAX, so there’s that.

I was reading that being outside all day in it when it was at its worst would be equivalent to smoking seven cigarettes. But I agree, it’ll likely be gone by the time PAX comes around.

I think that's one of the sensationalized articles I was talking about

I read a rebuttal to that one that said while yes, the amount of particles might be similar, the harmfulness of the particles is way worse for the cigarettes.

Mlowe1982

Just to update everyone on this as of right now most of the smoke is cleared out and looks like it should be fine for the weekend.

GONG-00

As a Marylander, the weather and air seems fine today.