Orange skies are the future. Prepare yourself.
Our photographer who has covered over 125 wildfires shares tips on how to prepare for smoke-filled skies
As climate change drives an increase in wildfires, we’re seeing more smoke lofted into the upper atmosphere each fire season. Depending on wind and weather, this smoke can spread hundreds or thousands of miles from its source — as we saw this week on the U.S. East Coast.
And we’re likely to continue seeing it increase in severity, frequency, and longevity as the planet warms. As a photographer who has photographed over 125 wildfires in California over the last decade, I’ve gleaned some helpful tips and best practices for how to reduce exposure to harmful air once it reaches a town near you. [...]
So, what can you do?
An individual is powerless to change the weather or control where smoke goes, but there are things you can do to prepare and protect yourself from the worst of it. [...]
If you have the luxury of an indoor job or remote work, staying inside gives you better control over the air environment. Those working outside should limit their physical activity, and while guidelines are being developed for outdoor air quality, some states like Washington even require workers to be provided with masks on extremely poor air days.
Wear a NIOSH-approved* N95 or better mask outdoors. The best mask should have two straps, one that goes above your ears, and the other below, for a better face seal to ensure you don’t suck in any smoke particles when you inhale. [...]
Take care of your eyes. Over-the-counter generic eye drops are great for bloodshot eyes irritated by particulate matter, and will help lubricate the surface of the eye and aid in flushing away contaminants.
*NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Adaptado de: PALLEY, Stuart. Orange skies are the future. Prepare yourself. National Geographic, 09/06/2023. Disponível em: <https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/wildfire-smoke-exposure-protection-tips>. Acesso em: 10/06/2023.
Vocabulário (neste contexto):
- filled: cheio;
- increase: aumento;
- spread: espalhar-se;
- glean: reunir;
- harmful: nocivo, prejudicial;
- guidelines: diretrizes;
- over-the-counter: de venda livre (sem a necessidade de receita médica).
Considerando as dicas e as práticas sugeridas pelo autor para reduzir a exposição à poluição decorrente dos incêndios, assinale o que for correto.
01) Em locais nos quais o ar está afetado pelos incêndios, o uso de máscaras N95 aprovadas pelo NIOSH é recomendado quando se está ao ar livre.
02) A melhor máscara a ser utilizada nessas situações é a com duas alças: uma acima das orelhas e outra abaixo, pois é a que garante melhor vedação facial.
04) Não é recomendado o uso de colírios, já que podem gerar ainda mais irritação nos olhos.
08) Em situações de exposição à poluição decorrente dos incêndios, não é necessário ter cuidado com os olhos, uma vez que a utilização de máscara facial de qualidade já é medida suficiente para reduzir os efeitos dessa exposição.