Indoor air quality has become a critical public health concern as wildfire smoke and ground-level ozone increasingly drift into homes across the West. Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare and Clark County, Nevada's Division of Air Quality have issued seasonal advisories warning residents that poor indoor air can trigger headaches, breathing problems, asthma flare-ups, and other serious health effects. The good news: experts say simple, affordable steps can significantly reduce your family's exposure to these invisible pollutants .

What's Actually Hiding in Your Home's Air Right Now?

Most people spend the majority of their time indoors at home, work, school, and childcare facilities, yet many don't realize what's circulating in that air. Beyond wildfire smoke, indoor air can contain radon, mold, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and dust. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a particular concern because long-term exposure can cause lung cancer. Carbon monoxide, which you cannot see, smell, or taste, is equally dangerous; it prevents your blood from carrying oxygen to your body and can be fatal at high concentrations .

Young children face heightened risk because they breathe faster than adults, meaning they inhale more air and more pollutants per minute. This is why schools and childcare facilities are increasingly being asked to monitor and improve their indoor air quality. Clark County recorded 18 days when ground-level ozone exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) last year, down from 25 days in 2024, but the trend remains concerning as wildfire season extends .

How to Create Cleaner Air in Your Home and Workplace?

• Use Quality Air Filters: HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers or HVAC filters rated MERV 13 remove dust, pollen, and small particles that standard filters miss. Regular home air filters do not remove PM2.5, the very small particulate matter found in wildfire smoke.
• Replace Filters Regularly: Change HVAC filters frequently and schedule yearly system checks to ensure your heating and cooling system operates efficiently and captures pollutants effectively.
• Ventilate Strategically: Open windows briefly on inversion and smoke-free days to bring in fresh air, but keep windows and doors closed when outdoor air quality is poor or wildfire smoke is visible.
• Control Humidity Levels: Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent to prevent mold growth. Mold can trigger respiratory symptoms, including allergies and asthma, and grows quickly when water damage occurs.
• Choose Low-Chemical Products: Use low-VOC paints, cleaners, and building materials. Volatile organic compounds, emitted from candles, new flooring, and air fresheners, can cause eye and respiratory irritation, nausea, and long-term cancer risk.
• Install Gas Detectors: Fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and carbon dioxide detectors should be installed in every room to alert you to dangerous gas buildup.
• Monitor Air Quality in Real Time: Air quality monitors measure pollutants like dust, smoke, humidity, and chemicals, providing real-time data so you can address issues such as wildfire smoke or poor ventilation immediately.

Idaho health officials recommend creating a "clean room" during periods of poor outdoor air quality, especially for children who need the most protection. A clean room includes minimal furniture with easy-to-clean surfaces, a strong HEPA air purifier rated MERV 11 to 13, frequent cleaning with fragrance-free products, and hand washing before entering. A simple box fan with air purifiers is inexpensive and effective, making this strategy accessible to most families .

Why Are Wildfire Smoke and Ozone Becoming a Year-Round Concern?

Wildfires throughout the West have become more frequent in the summer months, and smoke billows into neighboring states, impacting particulate pollution and ozone formation. Smoke is made of small particulates and other pollutants that can aggravate respiratory diseases and contribute to ground-level ozone formation. Exposure to smoke can induce coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath even in healthy people. Clark County issued a seasonal wildfire smoke advisory alongside an ozone advisory for the fourth consecutive year, signaling that this is no longer an occasional problem but a predictable seasonal threat .

Ground-level ozone, a colorless and odorless gas, is a key ingredient of urban smog that builds up during the day in the hottest months due to strong sunlight, hot temperatures, gasoline and chemical vapors, pollutants from automobiles, wildfires, and regional transport. Exposure to ozone can irritate your respiratory system and cause coughing, a sore throat, chest pain, and shortness of breath. People most sensitive to elevated levels of particulates and ozone include individuals with respiratory problems, cardiac disease, young children, and senior citizens .

Temperature inversions, common events in winter months, can worsen outdoor air quality and affect indoor air too. When cold air becomes trapped near the ground by warmer air above, pollutants cannot disperse and accumulate, making indoor air quality management even more critical during these periods .

What Should You Do When Air Quality Alerts Are Issued?

• Stay Indoors: When you smell or see smoke, remain inside with windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner inside your house and car to filter incoming air.
• Limit Outdoor Activity: Reduce exertion and outdoor time when ozone levels are elevated. Schedule activities for the morning or evening when ozone levels are usually lower.
• Change Air Filters: If your indoor air filters are dirty, replace them immediately to maintain filtration effectiveness.
• Wear Protective Equipment: If you must go outside during poor air quality events, wear an N95 mask to filter incoming air.
• Reduce Vehicle Emissions: Combine errands into one trip, use public transportation or carpool, and avoid idling your car engine unnecessarily. Fill up your gas tank after sunset and avoid topping off your tank, as gasoline vapors contribute to ozone formation.
• Consult Your Doctor: If you have a medical condition that makes you sensitive to air quality conditions, consult your physician for personalized guidance.

For schools and childcare facilities, the stakes are particularly high. Children who breathe cleaner air stay healthier with fewer coughs, colds, and asthma flare-ups, miss fewer days of school or daycare, and focus better and learn more comfortably. Parents should ask their childcare provider or school how they manage indoor air quality and encourage good hand-washing practices to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses .

Both Idaho and Nevada provide real-time air quality monitoring tools to help residents make informed decisions. Clark County's Division of Air Quality offers a daily air quality forecast website, social media updates, text and email alerts through Enviroflash, and the AIRNow mobile app. Idaho residents can access similar resources through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. These tools allow you to check conditions before heading outdoors and adjust your activities accordingly .

The message from public health officials is clear: indoor air quality is not a luxury concern but a fundamental health issue. By taking these practical steps now, you can reduce your family's exposure to wildfire smoke, ozone, radon, mold, and other indoor air pollutants that contribute to serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The investment in air filters, detectors, and monitoring tools is small compared to the health benefits of breathing cleaner air every day.