What Are the Symptoms of Smoke Inhalation?
The CDC describes wildfire smoke as a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings and other material, and says breathing it can affect you right away, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, tiredness, chest pain and a fast heartbeat.
New York's Department of Health says smoke irritates the eyes, nose and throat, that some people exposed to heavy smoke have temporary changes in lung function, and that carbon monoxide and small particles are two common substances in smoke responsible for these effects. It says inhaling carbon monoxide decreases the body's oxygen supply and causes headaches, that inhaling fine particles can cause respiratory irritation and shortness of breath and worsen asthma and heart disease, and that anyone with symptoms from smoke or bad air quality should contact their health care provider.
Masks vary. The EPA says not to rely on dust masks or bandanas for protection from smoke, and that if you must be outside in smoky conditions, an N95 respirator reduces exposure to the fine particles in smoke if it fits snugly to your face without gaps.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe CDC describes wildfire smoke as a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees and plants, buildings and other material. CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe CDC says breathing wildfire smoke can cause coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, headaches, tiredness, chest pain and fast heartbeat. CDC ↗
- Government sourceNew York's Department of Health says smoke irritates the eyes, nose and throat, heavy smoke can temporarily change lung function, and carbon monoxide and small particles are two common substances responsible. New York State Department of Health ↗
- Government sourceNew York's Department of Health says inhaling carbon monoxide decreases the body's oxygen supply and causes headaches, and fine particles can cause respiratory irritation and shortness of breath and worsen asthma and heart disease. New York State Department of Health ↗
- Government sourceNew York's Department of Health says anyone with symptoms from smoke or bad air quality should contact their health care provider. New York State Department of Health ↗
- Government sourceThe EPA says not to rely on dust masks or bandanas for smoke, and that an N95 respirator reduces exposure to fine smoke particles if it fits snugly without gaps. US EPA ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.