It’s time to break out your particulate respirator mask. Smoke has again pushed air quality over the Puget Sound region to dangerously unhealthy levels and officials are recommending people do what they can to stay indoors. Here is an announcement from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and King County-Seattle public health:
Air quality levels are going up more quickly than expected in the Puget Sound Region and we are reaching levels UNHEALTHY for everyone in some areas. We recommend everyone stay indoors when possible.
With winds pushing smoke from British Columbia and the fires in the Cascades in our direction, we expect poor air quality to continue through Wednesday. Current air quality levels in Darrington are UNHEALTHY for everyone. We could see levels become UNHEALTHY in other parts of our region over the next few days. Check the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website for the most recent conditions.
It’s the second time in a week smoke from wildfires has pushed the state’s air quality into dangerous level.
The National Weather Service predicts “widespread smoke” will turn to “widespread haze” by Wednesday as onshore winds return.
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Looking for some recommendations for the best particulate mask I can buy. As this seems like the new normal for this century, I may as well get with the trend. Bonus points for ones that are also a fashion statement, such as including sky blue. I’m not actually kidding.
If you’re willing to look like a tool (say, for indoor use), the GVS Elipse P100 respirator is comfortable for long-term use and also handles dust from wood, metal, and similar construction use: http://www.gvs.com/product-family/223/1035
Comes in 2 sizes, small-medium and medium-large. If unsure, the small-medium fits most people. Woodcraft in Georgetown has it in stock: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/gvs-elipse-p100-mask-s-m
Look for anything rated N95 or R95. You should be able to find both disposable and reusable (fashion-y even!) ones on Amazon, and disposable ones at most hardware store, plus some drugstores (many medical masks are rated this way).
I read anything N95 or N100 will work for the particles.
Washington State Health Department smoke mask advice: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/334-353.pdf