{"id":15975,"date":"2023-06-08T16:01:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T20:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/?page_id=15975"},"modified":"2026-07-16T08:41:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T12:41:41","slug":"wildfire-smoke","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/public-health-toxicology\/wildfire-smoke\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildfire Smoke"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s in smoke from a wildfire?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Smoke is made up small particles, gases and water vapor. The gases include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, and other substances.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is smoke bad for me?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Smoke inhalation is bad for the general public. Individuals with higher risk include people with heart or lung diseases, such as congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or asthma. Children and the elderly also are more susceptible to smoke.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does smoke harm my health?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the biggest dangers of smoke comes from <\/span>particulate matter <\/span><\/i>— solid particles and liquid droplets found in air. In smoke, these particles often are very tiny, smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. How small is that? Think of this: the diameter of the average human hair is about 30 times bigger.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These particles can build up in your respiratory system, causing a number of health problems, including burning eyes, runny noses and illnesses such as bronchitis. Healthy adults generally find that their symptoms (runny noses, coughing, etc.) disappear after the smoke is gone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The particles also can aggravate heart and lung diseases, such as congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and asthma.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I know if I\u2019m being affected?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may have a scratchy throat, cough, irritated sinuses, headaches, runny nose and stinging eyes. Children and people with lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis may find it difficult to breathe as deeply or vigorously as normally, and they may cough, wheeze, or feel short of breath.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I do to protect myself?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n