Rick Medley said he didn’t know much about lung health when he was diagnosed in 2021 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis — a chronic lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breathe.

His search for more knowledge and support eventually led him to a workshop hosted in Abbotsford by the BREATHE Project, where he built his first DIY air cleaner. Since then, the 78-year-old retiree has funded three more workshops and helped dozens of people build their own air cleaners.

Medley said the project is especially important during wildfire season.

“From the forest fires and structures that may have been burnt down, there’s all kinds of chemical aberrations in [the air] that you don’t know about that can be detrimental to your lung health,” he said.

Nicol says the DIY devices are accessible and easy to build, and their oldest workshop participant so far was 100 years old. She says commercially sold air purifiers can be expensive, but the project’s version can be made for under $100. Workshop participants receive the materials for free but must purchase replacement filters as needed.

“Our project is rooted in health equity,” said Nicol. “We’re helping people access this cleaning technology who wouldn’t otherwise be able to purchase them.”

A longer wildfire season means more smoke

The BC Wildfire Service says the province saw an earlier start to the fire season this year due to ongoing drought conditions and blazes from previous years that smouldered through the winter.

Nicol says wildfires are becoming more frequent and longer-lasting, leading to increased smoke exposure.

“If you can smell it, it probably means that you’re breathing it in, and that has serious health impacts,” she said.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says lung conditions such as asthma and COPD can worsen with lingering smoke exposure, and warns that air pollution can increase inflammation and alter immune function. The risks are higher for older adults, children and pregnant people.

Everyone should be aware of air quality risks

“You can do irreparable harm to your lungs and your breathing longer-term,” Lam said. “It’s up to us to decide … what risk exposures we want to have.”

Lam says smoky skies are an obvious sign of poor air quality, but pollution is not always visible. The foundation recommends checking local air quality reports and using indoor air quality monitors and air cleaners at home.

Nicol agrees that awareness should extend beyond those considered high risk. She says people in smaller or rural communities often have fewer options for accessing clean indoor air — such as malls or libraries.

“When we started the BREATHE Project, I was really surprised at how many people showed up [to our workshops],” she said. “We had to stop advertising the events widely because we couldn’t accommodate the high demand.”

The project now focuses on targeted outreach through seniors’ centres and community organizations. Groups can apply to host a workshop through the BREATHE Project website.

The workshops are mainly funded by Simon Fraser University and the BC Lung Foundation, with additional support from the B.C. Health Ministry, health authorities and municipalities.

Medley, who also chairs a support group in Abbotsford for people with breathing difficulties, says it’s important to spread awareness and build community support for those with lung conditions.

“Until I had my experience [with chronic lung disease], I never thought about air,” he said.

He believes air quality and lung health should be taught in schools.

Lam agrees.

“People should know what’s in the air they’re breathing at any given time, not just during wildfire season,” he said.

He recommends communities establish designated clean-air and cooling centres during extreme heat or smoke events and encourages residents to check on neighbours who may be vulnerable.

This year, the BREATHE Project is expanding into more northern B.C. communities, including Fort St. John, Prince George and Dawson Creek. But Nicol says some workshops have already been moved online due to early-season wildfire conditions affecting travel.

The BREATHE Project also works alongside Carter’s Project, a BC Lung Foundation initiative that distributes free air quality monitors across the province.

It is named after Carter Vigh, a nine-year-old boy from 100 Mile House who died in July 2023 following an asthma attack triggered by poor air quality.