Air Quality and Emergencies

Volcanoes

When volcanoes erupt, they release ash and harmful gases that can make it hard to breathe. Find out how to stay safe during and after a volcanic eruption.

• Key Facts About Protecting Yourself During a Volcanic Eruption
• Key Facts About Protecting Yourself After a Volcanic Eruption

Learn more about substances that can be released into the air during a volcanic eruption:

• Ammonia
• Fluorides, Hydrogen Fluoride, and Fluorine
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Vanadium

Wildfires

Smoke from wildfires can affect the air that you breathe. Use these resources to protect your family’s health if there’s a wildfire in your area.

• Choosing and fitting respirators to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke pdf icon[PDF – 2.68 MB]external icon
• Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire (EPA)external icon
• Fires: Current Conditions (AirNow)external icon
• Guidance for Health Professionals: Health Risks of Wildfires for Children external icon
• Guidance for Health Professionals: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ashexternal icon
• Indoor Air Filtrationexternal icon
• National Weather Service Air Quality Forecastexternal icon
• Prepare for Fire Seasonexternal icon
• Prescribed Fires and Air Quality
• Protect Yourself from Ashexternal icon
• Protect Your Lungs: Respiratorsexternal icon
• Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ashexternal icon
• Protect Your Large Animals and Livestock from Wildfire Smokeexternal icon
• Protect Your Pets from Wildfire Smokeexternal icon
• Reduce Your Smoke Exposureexternal icon
• Smoke Ready Toolbox for Wildfiresexternal icon
• Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officialsexternal icon
• Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (EPA)external icon
• Wildfires: Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Wildfires: Information for Pregnant Women and Parents of Young Infants
• Wildfires: What YOU Need to Know (Public Health Matters Blog)