Expert: Washington smoke not a strong risk to healthy adults

With smoke in the region thick enough to block views of Puget Sound from I-5 and air quality experts warning of the dangers of outdoor air exposure, what risk are typical, healthy adults and children at?

RELATED: Air quality to worsen as smoke returns

“Normal healthy people can probably just go about their normal business. Listen to your body; if you start feeling effects, go inside.”

That’s Dr. Coralynn Sack, a pulmonologist and specialist in environmental health at the University of Washington, who notes that with an air quality index above 100 — it’s mostly sensitive populations at risk.

Although healthy adults shouldn’t push it, especially when it comes to exercise.

“You probably want to reduce the level of exercise you’re doing outside,” Dr. Sack said. “If you live somewhere where the air quality’s worse, like Puyallup or down by Kent, then the air quality index is a little worse and maybe you should limit your outdoor exposure.”

Short-term exposure to Washington smoke not a major worry

In areas south of Seattle, the current AQI score is 156 — that means elderly people and children should avoid outdoor exposure, even they don’t have any lung issues. People with heart conditions are also at risk with that level of pollution in the air.

Dr. Sack says that ultimately, short-term exposure shouldn’t worry most of us — our lungs typically expel the type of particles currently smothering the Sound.

“When the air quality gets back to normal, that risk is over, and your health risk is about the same. These acute effects where the air quality gets worse from wildfire smoke for a few days–they probably do not have long-lasting effects in most of us.”

The Puget Sound Air Agency has issued a Stage 1 burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties until further notice and is addition to existing fire safety burn bans.

Stage 1 burn bans include: charcoal barbeques or similar solid fuel devices, campfires or bonfires, fire pits, chimineas, fire bowls, or similar free-standing devices, fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves, or uncertified inserts, agricultural fires (as described in the agricultural burn permit), or Native American ceremonial fire permits outside of tribal lands.

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