which were pointed to by the CDC as resources for people concerned about the recent L.A. wildfires.
Written in 2021, deep in COVID, they include such gems as:
* "Cloth (wet or dry), paper masks or tissues will NOT filter out wildfire smoke"
* "Respirators are NOT designed to fit children"
* "Facial hair prevents proper fit and effectiveness"
* " Wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe. If you have heart or lung problems, ask your doctor before using a respirator."
Given that the dangerous particle size in wildfire smoke is < 2.5um and aerosolized virus particles are below that size, it's hard for me to understand how the CDC and the EPA didn't apply and publish the same caveats to masking for biological protection. Especially since a virus replicates, therefore presumably needs a smaller "dose" to cause harm.
Anyway, had to get those articles off my chest. I hate this topic.
Pursuant to Doran Peck's comment regarding hierarchy of controls, but not really to Dr. Marine's post, I just have to vent about these documents:
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/protect-your-lungs-from-wildfire-smoke-or-ash.pdf
and
https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/the-right-respirator-and%20proper-fit-508.pdf
which were pointed to by the CDC as resources for people concerned about the recent L.A. wildfires.
Written in 2021, deep in COVID, they include such gems as:
* "Cloth (wet or dry), paper masks or tissues will NOT filter out wildfire smoke"
* "Respirators are NOT designed to fit children"
* "Facial hair prevents proper fit and effectiveness"
* " Wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe. If you have heart or lung problems, ask your doctor before using a respirator."
Given that the dangerous particle size in wildfire smoke is < 2.5um and aerosolized virus particles are below that size, it's hard for me to understand how the CDC and the EPA didn't apply and publish the same caveats to masking for biological protection. Especially since a virus replicates, therefore presumably needs a smaller "dose" to cause harm.
Anyway, had to get those articles off my chest. I hate this topic.
Good points - thanks for sharing this.