Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor Environments Division announced a new webpage with information to help protect families from wildfire smoke indoors. Included were tips for creating a clean room to safeguard indoor air quality (IAQ).
According to the agency, if there is an active fire in the area, or if the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates smoke levels are unhealthy and forecasted to remain there, local authorities may advise residents to stay indoors or create a clean room rather than evacuate. Setting up a clean room at home can help reduce exposure to dangerous or unhealthy wildfire smoke while indoors. However, conditions can change quickly, so people should always be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The EPA goes on to state that everyone can benefit from spending time in a clean room during a wildfire, but it may be most helpful for sensitive individuals like the very young, very old, and people with heart or lung problems. Microscopic particles from wildfires can get into the eyes and respiratory system – whether one is outdoors or indoors, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.
To set up a clean room:
• Choose a room. It should be big enough to fit everyone in the household and comfortable to spend time in. A bedroom with an attached bathroom is a good choice.
• Prevent smoke from entering the room. Close windows and doors in the room, but don’t do anything that makes it hard to get out. If there is an exhaust fan or range hood in the clean room space, only use it for short periods.
• Stay cool. Run fans, window air conditioners or central air conditioning. If the HVAC system or window air conditioner has a fresh air option, turn it off or close the intake.
• Filter the air in the room. Use a portable air cleaner that is the right size for the room. Run the portable air cleaner continuously on the highest fan setting if possible. If there is central HVAC, install a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 or higher) in the system. Run the system’s fan as often as possible to get the most out of the filter.
• Avoid activities that create smoke or other particles indoors, including:
o Smoking cigarettes, pipes and cigars.
o Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
o Spraying aerosol products.
o Frying or broiling food.
o Burning candles or incense.
o Vacuuming, unless using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Dust or mop surfaces in the clean room with a damp cloth as needed to keep settled particles from getting back into the air.
• Spend as much time as possible in the clean room to get the most benefit from it. Avoid exercising while in the clean room to help reduce exposure to any particles that may enter the room.
These are just a few things to know about the EPA’s suggestions for setting up a clean room to protect indoor air quality during a wildfire. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
In 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor Environments Division announced a new webpage with information to help protect families from wildfire smoke indoors. Included were tips for creating a clean room to safeguard indoor air quality (IAQ).
According to the agency, if there is an active fire in the area, or if the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates smoke levels are unhealthy and forecasted to remain there, local authorities may advise residents to stay indoors or create a clean room rather than evacuate. Setting up a clean room at home can help reduce exposure to dangerous or unhealthy wildfire smoke while indoors. However, conditions can change quickly, so people should always be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The EPA goes on to state that everyone can benefit from spending time in a clean room during a wildfire, but it may be most helpful for sensitive individuals like the very young, very old, and people with heart or lung problems. Microscopic particles from wildfires can get into the eyes and respiratory system – whether one is outdoors or indoors, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.
To set up a clean room:
• Choose a room. It should be big enough to fit everyone in the household and comfortable to spend time in. A bedroom with an attached bathroom is a good choice.
• Prevent smoke from entering the room. Close windows and doors in the room, but don’t do anything that makes it hard to get out. If there is an exhaust fan or range hood in the clean room space, only use it for short periods.
• Stay cool. Run fans, window air conditioners or central air conditioning. If the HVAC system or window air conditioner has a fresh air option, turn it off or close the intake.
• Filter the air in the room. Use a portable air cleaner that is the right size for the room. Run the portable air cleaner continuously on the highest fan setting if possible. If there is central HVAC, install a high-efficiency filter (MERV 13 or higher) in the system. Run the system’s fan as often as possible to get the most out of the filter.
• Avoid activities that create smoke or other particles indoors, including:
o Smoking cigarettes, pipes and cigars.
o Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
o Spraying aerosol products.
o Frying or broiling food.
o Burning candles or incense.
o Vacuuming, unless using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Dust or mop surfaces in the clean room with a damp cloth as needed to keep settled particles from getting back into the air.
• Spend as much time as possible in the clean room to get the most benefit from it. Avoid exercising while in the clean room to help reduce exposure to any particles that may enter the room.
These are just a few things to know about the EPA’s suggestions for setting up a clean room to protect indoor air quality during a wildfire. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
