{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000107","name":"Wildfire Smoke Exposure (PM2.5, AQI, N95, Indoor Air Quality)","category":{"primary":"specialized","secondary":"disaster","tags":["wildfire","smoke","PM2.5","AQI","N95","air quality","respiratory","fire"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5, CO, formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, PAHs, and hundreds of volatile organic compounds from combustion of vegetation, structures, and synthetic materials. AQI >150 (Unhealthy): vulnerable groups should stay indoors. AQI >200: everyone should limit outdoor exposure. N95/KN95 respirators reduce PM2.5 inhalation by 95% when properly fitted. Indoor air during smoke events: close windows, run HVAC on recirculate, portable HEPA filter. Smoke events increasingly severe and prolonged due to climate change — 2020 US West Coast: AQI >500 for days.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"high","synthesis_confidence":0.757,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Infant exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"children, elderly, asthma/COPD, pregnant women, outdoor workers","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["PM2.5 from wildfire smoke: cardiovascular and respiratory mortality","Wildfire PM2.5 more toxic than urban PM2.5 (PAH-enriched)","Indoor air quality degrades without HEPA filtration during smoke events","Post-fire ash contains heavy metals, asbestos from burned structures"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation (primary); dermal and oral (ash contact, contaminated water)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal","oral"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief","oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child","infant"],"duration":"days_to_weeks","frequency":"seasonal","scenarios":["Outdoor exposure during wildfire smoke events (PM2.5 >35 ug/m3)","Indoor air infiltration without HEPA filtration","N95 use: proper fit essential — facial hair, children reduce efficacy","Post-fire ash and debris (heavy metals, asbestos from structures)"],"notes":"EPA AQI breakpoints: PM2.5 35.5 ug/m3 = Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), 55.5 = Unhealthy (151-200), 150.5 = Very Unhealthy (201-300), 250.5 = Hazardous (301-500). AirNow.gov for real-time AQI. Box fan + MERV-13 or HEPA filter DIY: effective low-cost indoor air cleaner (Puget Sound Clean Air Agency tested). N95 respirators: NIOSH-approved, proper fit test, not effective for children under ~7. Wildfire smoke PM2.5 is more toxic per mass than urban PM2.5 due to PAH content."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Monitor AirNow.gov. AQI >150: stay indoors, close windows, run HEPA filter. N95/KN95 for outdoor exposure (proper fit essential). DIY box fan + MERV-13 filter is effective. Post-fire: wet down ash before sweeping (do not dry sweep — aerosolizes heavy metals). Children's N95 options limited — prioritize indoor air quality.","safer_alternatives":["HEPA air purifier for indoor air during smoke events","N95/KN95 respirator (NIOSH-approved, proper fit)","DIY box fan + MERV-13 filter (tested effective by Puget Sound Clean Air)","HVAC set to recirculate (close fresh air intake during smoke events)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA AQI / NAAQS PM2.5","citation":"40 CFR 50.18","requirements":"NAAQS annual PM2.5: 9.0 ug/m3 (revised 2024). 24-hour: 35 ug/m3. AQI system communicates health risk to public. Wildfire smoke exempted from NAAQS attainment via Exceptional Events Rule.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2024-03-06","enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"N95: regular waste after use. HEPA filters: regular waste (replace when airflow drops).","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000029","compound_name":null,"role":"combustion_product","typical_concentration":"elevated during events"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000011","compound_name":null,"role":"combustion_product","typical_concentration":"elevated"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["wildfire smoke exposure (pm2.5, aqi, n95, indoor air quality)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Carrier","manufacturer":"Carrier Global","market_position":"professional","notable":"Leading HVAC manufacturer"},{"brand":"Trane","manufacturer":"Trane Technologies","market_position":"professional","notable":"Commercial HVAC systems"},{"brand":"Honeywell","manufacturer":"Honeywell","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"HVAC controls and air quality"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA AQI / NAAQS PM2.5 (40 CFR 50.18)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2024,"citation":"40 CFR 50.18","id":"src_25e2624f"},{"id":"iarc_100f_bap","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Benzo[a]pyrene — Chemical Agents and Related Occupations","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000029"},{"id":"epa_bap_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS: Benzo[a]pyrene — Toxicological Review (Final)","year":2017,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000029"},{"id":"iarc_100f_form","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Formaldehyde","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"},{"id":"epa_form_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Formaldehyde (draft)","year":2010,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000011"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:22:07.618Z"}}