Proposed New Rules for Workplace Protection Against Wildfire Smoke

Not much is known about the true effects wildfire smoke has on outdoor workers, yet many regions are considering installing new rules to protect workers against associated workplace health hazards. Wildfires generate copious amounts of smoke into the atmosphere which can linger and spread far distances affecting many diverse workplace industries, and those that must work outdoors are directly at risk. Certain complications affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems are known to be caused directly from smoke inhalation, and protections in the new rules will seek to provide for those ailments. 

Many different components have contributed to the new rules and certain regions have been in discussions for multiple years over the specific regulations to be imposed. Lawmakers have been diligently working with environmentalists, scientists, medical professionals, public involvement, and those predominantly affected to develop succinct rules that can protect those at risk. Certain areas more severely affected by climate change, drought, and dry conditions will continue to increase frequency of wildfires posing additional risks for industries and any employee conducting business outdoors. 

Effects of Smoke Exposure

Smoke exposure can invoke a variety of different complications to the human body, particularly affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of those exposed. Wildfire smoke is different from cigarettes or exhaust due to the variety of different gas combinations and particulate matter. The mix of gasses and fine particulates form from burning vegetation, structures, or other materials. Studies suggest breathing in wildfire smoke can have instantaneous effects on anytype of individual, regardless of health. 

Immediate Symptoms

• Coughing

• Breathing difficulties 

• Stingy eyes

• Dry throat

• Runny nose

• Irritated sinuses

• Wheezing and shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Headache

• Asthma attacks

• Tiredness

• Accelerated heartbeat

Immediate side effects from smoke inhalation can rapidly degrade a person’s ability to effectively work, travel, or participate in outdoor activities. These symptoms can continue to persist for extended periods of time, even when a person removes themselves from the source of the smoke.

The difficulties when assessing smoke inhalation risks in regards to wildlife smoke is the percentage of pollutant particulate matter. Health effects when dealing with air particulates can range from relatively minor symptoms to more serious long term health effects. The fine particulates are respiratory irritants that can cause persistent coughing, phlegm build up, difficulty breathing, and impacts to the entire respiratory system. These particulates can decrease the body’s ability to effectively remove foreign materials from the lungs, leading to excess bacteria and viral infections. Even people without underlying conditions can experience reduced respiratory activity including lung irritation and pulmonary inflammation. 

Long term exposure to wildfire smoke inhalation has relatively little known data to conclusively make assessments, however studies involving prolonged exposure to severe conditions over several days and weeks suggest a cumulatively negative effect on the lung’s capacity to provide clean oxygen to the body. Difficulties in assessing the effects of wildfire exposures is due to the lack of detailed studies on the general public's reaction to those conditions compared to the studies conducted on wildland firefighters directly in the pathway of dangerous smoke conditions. Gaps in the knowledge also fail to accurately depict the status of persistent health conditions in the wildlife offseason for workers. 

Protections From Wildfire Smoke

The most effective way to prevent wildfire smoke inhalation health effects is by limiting a person’s direct exposure to the elements. The Center for Disease Control has published a variety of tips for the public to avoid developing health complications in the height of wildlife season. 

1. Observe local air quality conditions

1. News and health networks will release warnings and condition updates when there is a wildfire in your area. Take safety precautions by limiting your exposure to the outdoors when under advisory. 

2. Evaluate health guidelines if they are available to your area.

3. Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible. 

1. Keeping inside air sealed from outside pollutants is almost as important as staying inside. 

4. Use an air filter

1. Air filters will help remove potential harmful particulates from the air you are breathing.

5. Do not rely on dust masks for protection

1. Comfort and dust masks will not protect you from smoke as they are only designed to stop large materials like sawdust. 

2. A typical N95 used for covid will provide some protection if you must be exposed to the elements. 

Proposed rulings for regional safety precautions for employers are based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) tool used by the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality. The AQI utilizes a rating system to quantify the probability of danger to the respiratory system and anyone outdoors. The rules outline necessary protections for when the AQI denotes dangerous particulate conditions in the air quality. 

AQI Rules - Rating spans 0 to 500 or higher

0 to 69

1. Air quality is satisfactory and no risk to outdoor exposure. 

1. 69 to 100

1. Air quality is acceptable but may pose certain risks to sensitive individuals or those with underlying conditions. 

2. Wildfire smoke response plan and recommended emergency response measures for workers experiencing any associated symptoms. 

2. 101 to 300

1. Some members of the public may begin to experience health complications and respiratory symptoms, while those with underlying conditions may react more severely. 

2. Provide respiratory protections 

3. Feasible working conditions with necessary precautions 

3. 301 to 500

1. Respirator use for affected workers

2. At least N95 masks for every employee

3. Full workplace respiratory protection program

4. Higher than the AQI

1. An N95 does not offer satisfactory protections, and more advanced respirators are required. 

Wildlife Risks for 2023

With summer shortly beginning across the United States what are the predicted risks for wildfires?

Areas in the western United States prone to severe wildfires include dry regions with adequate amounts of vegetation like California, Washington, and Colorado. The threat between April and June will be very low, but gradually increase with summer temperatures and lack of moisture. 

The peak wildlife season is expected to last between August and September, with some areas to remain under advisory until late November. The 2022 season observed more than 7 billion acres of land burned by wildfires and although 2023 has seen more moisture in certain areas then previously recorded, that statistic will likely remain the same if dry conditions prevail later in the year. 

The Northwest and Rockies observed a dryer than average winter, which means those regions will face a higher risk of wildfires as the snowpack melts quickly with the onset of summer temperatures. Some forecasters are placing the start of severe wildfires season as early as June in some of these at risk areas. Forecasters also released warnings that although many states are unaffected by the direct outburst of severe wildfires, the spread of smoke across the nation can continue to pose long lasting effects and should be taken seriously. 

China Abandons Zero Covid Policy

This past weekend, China abandoned its previous policy of fighting for zero percent of covid inflicted patients in its country. This new movement has been brought on by widespread protests, international pressures, and media highlighting the mistreatment of large portions of the country’s population. 

As China breaks down its covid barriers, many citizens are also reentering international travel centers. The world is responding with increased precautionary measures surrounding border entries. 

Public Outcry Influences Scrapping the Zero Covid Policy

As countries begin to observe increased travel from China amidst the scrapping of their strict covid lockdown measures, there have been many discussions over precautionary measures to prevent covid spikes. 

China has been experiencing severe surges in positive covid cases over the past six months, with current case numbers well over 30,000 with more than 5,000 positive cases added daily. The alarming increase in cases was partially responsible for the ambitious policy targeting a zero percentage of infection across the enormous country.

The zero covid policy consisted of extraneous lockdowns, travel restrictions, public zoning, and widespread testing mandates. Although many media outlets are blocked and restricted within the country, some videos that made it to the western world shined a light on the egregious lockdown procedures officials were enacting across Chinese cities. 

Many people were forcibly locked into their apartment buildings, grocery stores, and even taxis when officials determined there was a positive case. The public outcry began to heighten with widespread protests, international media pressure, and significant losses of lives due to unforeseen complications associated with strict lockdown measures. 

Protests Arise From Strict Lockdowns

Protests are not common in China, with its strict unitary and communist government. However, amidst many rigorous and extensive lockdown measures, protests began to gain traction in many large Chinese cities. 

Many citizens began to protest after being forcibly locked into their apartments for the 14-day quarantine period outlined by health officials like the CDC. There appear to be many instances where the people locked in the building had to struggle for food and water, as they could not access necessary resources themselves, relying entirely on government subsidies that were few and far between. 

Several recorded examples of people getting arrested after attempting to leave their apartments, and many others suffered injuries and even death in the mandated lockdowns. 

Significant protests began after a fire broke out in a locked-down apartment building in late November, killing ten people and injuring many others. This was the second major fire disaster in the nation amidst these severe lockdowns. 

The Chinese public outcries and comments on social media calling for justice, demanding to understand if the lives were lost due to the covid restrictions hampering rescue efforts. Of course, many points to the inability of fire rescue to adequately approach the 15-story high-rise where the fire began due to roadblocks and covid infrastructure at the building’s base.

Chinese covid protocols were categorized into risk levels, and it is still unknown which level of restriction this building faced at the time of the emergency. Local officials said in a statement that this block was on a low-risk enforcement level, meaning residents could leave their buildings provided they self-monitor and avoid gatherings. However, local communities around the compound shared the building had recently been placed under stricter enforcement potential making it more difficult for residents to evacuate quickly. 

Efforts to quell the fire were also hampered by cars in the parking lot with dead batteries from sitting so long, preventing the fire trucks from getting close enough to disperse water on the upper floors, which were also engulfed in flames. 

China’s New Covid Protocols

China has responded to the increasing pressures to reassess its protocols and has released new forms of restrictions to combat covid. 

• People are no longer required to relocate to state facilities or quarantine if they or someone they have contact with test positive for covid. 

• China has also ended its mass testing program, which means it will no longer have an accurate assessment of its ongoing cases. 

As of November, Chinese officials also released statistics that they have successfully vaccinated almost 40% of people over 80 years old with two doses of covid vaccines. These people are in the demographic for the most risk of severe covid complications. 

Precautionary Measures Applied to Chinese Flights and Tourists Across the EU and USA

Some EU countries have responded to the entrance of many Chinese tourists with mandatory testing despite controversies over its injustice and political motivations. Many argue that mandatory testing is not an effective use of resources or time due to the high vaccination rates already prevalent across Europe. 

The decision to implement testing continued, though, as there have been constant misrepresentations of current infection statistics by China and unknown information on the rise of new variants due to a lack of data. 

Chinese officials suggested that these restrictions are politically motivated and threatened to retaliate against unjust policies. 

The United States of America has also enacted its policies toward incoming travelers from China. US officials cited a need for adequate and transparent covid data for the decision to require entry tests. The decision is also backed by scientists who want to allow time to slow the disease's spread via travel and identify any potential new strains. 

The consensus is shared by many areas of the world as other countries, including Japan, Australia, India, Taiwan, and Malaysia, will require any travelers arriving from China to test negative for covid. 

How Will Traveling Look To and From China in 2023

1. Travelers entering China will no longer have to quarantine, as anyone arriving previously had to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a state facility. Some cities may still enact a form of quarantine for international and domestic travelers as their populations may be more vulnerable to the effects of covid. 

2. The EU calls for European-wide mandatory testing for all travelers from China, with many countries already enacting their policies. The USA, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and many more will be joining the European country's testing mandates. 

3. Many Chinese will likely be traveling this year as they have had some of the most severe and strict lockdowns during the pandemic. Many citizens will have to renew their passports as almost three years have passed since tourism was open in the country.  

4. It needs to be clarified how many cases China is currently facing and what kind of variants travelers may be spreading abroad. The scrapped mandated testing and misreporting of data have led to many inconclusive reports concerning the accuracy of covid infections. 

China Enters a Major International Climate Agreement

Chinese chemical companies must stop emitting HFC-23, a super-pollutant and an unwanted byproduct of the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22. China and India dominate the global HFC-22 production, with 75% in 2017. China recently began enforcing the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The agreement requires China and other countries to stop emitting HFC-23, which is 14,600 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere. 

In an address to the U.N. General Assembly, Chinese president Xi Jinping made a new climate commitment not to build any new coal-fired power projects abroad. China will also increase financial support for more green energy projects. The pledge came hours after United States President Joe Biden announced a plan to double financial aid to poorer nations to $11.4 billion by 2024 to help those countries switch to cleaner energy and cope with global warming’s worsening effects.

“We need to accelerate a transition to a green and low-carbon economy,” Xi said in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly. “We will make every effort to meet these goals. China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.”

The United Nations first targeted HFC-23 emissions in China in 2006, when a U.N. program known as the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM began incentivizing HCFC-22 producers to destroy their HFC-23 emissions. The program paid HCFC-22 producers in China and other developing countries emission reduction credits, traded with developed countries to meet their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. 

Although China has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ten companies in China built new HFC-22 capacity after April 2015 or are currently building new production facilities. In addition, three companies have also expanded or are in the process of expanding their HCFC-22 production capacity.

However, in another encouraging sign, the Bank of China said that it would no longer provide financing for new coal mining and coal power projects outside of China.