What are the environmental health concerns after a wildfire?

• AIR
• WATER
• LAND 

AIR

What are the health issues for children?

• Children are especially at risk for health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke and ash because their lungs are still growing.
• Children who breathe in wildfire smoke and ash can experience tightness in their chest, trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, burning of the eyes, nose, or throat, dizziness, or other symptoms. Children with asthma, allergies, or chronic health issues may have more trouble breathing when there are particles or toxic chemicals in the air.
• The air can be contaminated after a wildfire with chemicals from materials that burned, such as furniture, hazardous building materials, plastics, or propane gas tanks. The burned materials turn to ash which can be toxic and carried in the air over hundreds of miles.
• The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool that tells you when there are high levels of pollution in the air. 

What can we do to reduce the risk of health problems for children, families, and staff?

• Reduce the amount of particles in the air inside the classroom by using Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and portable air cleaners. Have a ventilation consultant check the HVAC system before turning it on after a wildfire. See Tips for Working with a Ventilation Specialist.
• Monitor air quality indices to determine the type of activity and length of time children can play outdoors. See Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality for detailed information.
• If the air quality is unhealthy, wear a tight-fitting mask. See Masks to Protect from Wildfire Smoke During Pregnancy or Early Child Years.
• Create a clean room where children sleep and play to help to minimize exposure to ash in indoor air. See Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire.
• Have children visit their primary health care provider if they are having respiratory or other health problems.

What resources are available to monitor and respond to the problems?

• Los Angeles Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222).
• AirNow Air Quality Index.

WATER

What are the health issues for children?

• Hazardous chemicals and metals settle on the ground and may be washed into streams, lakes, and the ocean. The ground water and local reservoirs may not have safe drinking water after a large wildfire. 
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in many consumer products and building materials that easily evaporate in the air when burned. VOCs are in the air after a wildfire, and they can get into the drinking water. 
• Local water treatment plants may not be running or able to adequately clean the water. 

What can we do to reduce the risk of problems for children, families, and staff?

• Provide safe drinking water and stay hydrated. 
• Drink bottled water because boiling water will not remove heavy metals and toxicants. 
• Use bottled water or potable water for mixing infant formula, brushing teeth, cooking, and drinking. 
• Use healthy water to wash locally grown food before eating it.
• Avoid contact with water, if possible, including showers or baths. 

What resources are available to monitor and respond to the problems?

• Check with your local water supply company to find out if the water is healthy to drink.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes safe drinking water standards.
• Identify places to get bottled water if the local water supply is not healthy. Bottled water or potable water is provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power. Distribute bottled water, if available. See this link for additional updates on water quality.

LAND

What are the health issues for children?

• Chemicals, toxic materials, and heavy metals settle on the ground after a wildfire.
• Infants and toddlers spend time on the ground indoors. Clean and sanitize the floors where children play. 
• Children should not play outside in the dirt, playground, or sandbox until the area has been cleared for use and inspected by a consultant or local health official.

What can we do to reduce the risk of problems for children, families, and staff?

• Open early care and education, child care, and Head Start programs after the building and classroom or other areas that children use have been cleaned and sanitized.
• Place doormats outside doors to the building and areas where children spend time.
• Take shoes off when entering a building.
• Vacuum daily with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner. Replace the filter and bag regularly as recommended by the manufacturer. 
• Do not allow children to clean up ash or contaminated spaces.
• Wash off ash that gets on the skin or in the eyes or mouth as soon as possible.

What resources are available to monitor and respond to the problems?

• Follow guidance from local public health officials.

SAFETY/OTHER ISSUES

• Assist families to fill medications for children with chronic health conditions.
• Consider mobile and pop-up resources to provide bottled water, masks, food, diapers, and formula.
• Create clean air rooms during a wildfire. Consult with experts on the indoor air quality of each room. 
• Eat healthy food and get enough sleep to help deal with stress.
• Choose face masks that protect the lungs from ash after a wildfire, which may be different from those worn for protection from infectious disease.

Information modified with permission from the Office of Head Start National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety.