The Air May Look Fine. That Doesn’t Mean It Is.

We talk a lot about what pregnant women should eat, drink, take and avoid. But there is another exposure we don't always think about: the air we breathe.


A new study of 64.5 million pregnancies across the United States found that wildfire smoke has become the leading source of unhealthy fine-particle pollution exposure during pregnancy. And here in California, wildfire smoke is hardly an abstract concern — it is increasingly part of summer life.


Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles called PM2.5 that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Research has linked exposure during pregnancy with an increased risk of preterm birth and other adverse birth outcomes.


So, when the smoke rolls in, don't simply look out the window and decide whether it "looks bad.”


Check the AQI (air quality Index)
If air quality is poor:
• Reduce strenuous outdoor activity
• Keep windows and doors closed when practical
• Use your HVAC system on recirculate and consider a HEPA air purifier
• If you need to go outside when smoke levels are high, a well-fitting N95 can help filter fine particles
• And if you're pregnant, especially during a significant smoke event, take the air quality seriously.


You don't need to panic. You just need to pay attention.


Because during wildfire season, protecting your health can be as simple as checking the air before you check the weather.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


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