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+--- Thread: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? (/showthread.php?tid=258244)
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Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - kj - 07-22-2021
Long shot, but if anyone has any input? I've been keeping an eye out for solutions for at least a couple years. My lungs are idiots, and get upset at the slightest organic material, so running or cycling is nearly impossible for me with this smoke from hades. I've done a weeks worth of exercise this month.
What I know:
Nothing for Covid works. It just doesn't seal well enough. I think a half face respirator would be necessary, but really.
Even N95 is too restrictive, and P100 is recommended, but even harder to breath through.
Who are these freaks who reduce oxygen intake to train? I don't want to do that, but that seems to be most of the mask related products out there.
I can't believe there isn't some sort of solution, but I'm probably just stuck with reduced activity until everything is burned up. Plus, when it burns, they just make more.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - fromish - 07-22-2021
Best bet is a respirator with activated charcoal AND P100 filter. Some of the nasty bits in wildfire smoke are volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. P100 takes out some of the first and much of the second, but with a respirator 3m you will get first class protection. Now they are a drag on your face, and it makes breathing more difficult; I just walk without pushing it when I have to exercise in smoke with the respirator. Not what you want, I know, but what works for me.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - ztirffritz - 07-22-2021
Where are you located out of curiosity? I'm in the middle of WA. The smoke actually isn't too bad at the moment. Last year it was like sandpaper on my eyes though, so I can sympathize.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - space-time - 07-22-2021
try to find a place indoors (home or even a clean gym) with good HVAC and exercise there.
You didn't say "outdoors" so technically I answered your question
miley-laughing001:
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - kj - 07-22-2021
I'm in Boise. Today is better, but a 20 mile mountain bike, or even a 4 mile trail run would still wreck my lungs. Yesterday the Purple Airs were between 150 and 190. At that point I can't do anything outside without really feeling it. I know that's not normal, but it is what it is.
I can't do inside exercise. That's a legit suggestion, but I just can't get myself to do it regularly, which is my fault, I admit.
I'm afraid you're right Fromish. I guess compromise is necessary. Thanks.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - davester - 07-22-2021
It's hazardous both to exercise while wearing a standard air-purifying respirator (e.g. N95) and to exercise in foul air without a respirator. I've been through many training programs for respirator use and we have been taught to always monitor the users for heat stress and respiratory stress resulting from overexertion. Also, nobody gets to use a respirator on a job site unless they have had a medical checkout for adequate lung function since all respirators restrict air flow. The only really safe respirator to exercise with would be a powered air-purifying respirator (i.e. one with a battery powered fan that blew air through the filter and into your breathing zone). The downside of these is that they are expensive and heavy. As was noted above, if the air is bad outside then your only safe option is to switch to exercising inside.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - Dennis S - 07-22-2021
Look into one of the DIY 20X20 fans that have been discussed.
https://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,2521978,2521978#msg-2521978
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - mattkime - 07-22-2021
I'm with others who say to exercise indoors or not at all.
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - N-OS X-tasy! - 07-22-2021
A good read on the dangers of wildfire smoke from today's L.A. Times: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-22/studies-connect-wildfire-smoke-side-effects-covid-19-risk
Re: Forest fire smoke protection while exercising? - August West - 07-22-2021
Thanks for the link, good read.