Air quality officials in six states urged children and adults with sensitivities to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure on July 3 and the Fourth of July amid ozone and harmful levels of fine-particle pollution.
Why It Matters
This new wave of air quality alerts comes after Canadian wildfires prompted a slew of similar ones across the upper Midwest earlier this summer. Wildfires, blowing dust and ozone are all sources of dangerous air pollution that can trigger breathing difficulties and other health issues. Air quality alerts are more often issued during the summer fire season and when ozone is at higher concentrations because of sunlight.
In addition to these pollution sources, fireworks celebrations will boom across the nation on Thursday night and over the weekend, worsening the air quality.
What To Know
As of Thursday afternoon, air quality alerts were in place for the following states: Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Colorado and California.
“Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing,” reads an air quality alert issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California. “Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.”
In addition to staying indoors, people were urged to keep windows and doors closed, run an air conditioner, avoid using whole-house fans or swamp coolers, and steer clear of fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered equipment until conditions improve.
Ozone pollution is typically worse during the summer, according to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It’s caused “when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight.”
Air quality monitoring maps from AirNow—a data site partnership between the EPA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Park Service; NASA; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; along with tribal, state and local air quality agencies—show moderate air quality detected across much of the nation.
In Minnesota, however, air quality was also shown as being unhealthy for some.
“Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected,” AirNow said about the air quality levels.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Alexander McGinnis, who works at the Indianapolis office, told Newsweek: “Mid-summer, when it gets hotter and the winds are lighter, we do usually see a few days that require air quality alerts due to higher concentrations of ozone.”
South Coast AQMD posted to X on Thursday: “#FIREWORKS PARTICLE POLLUTION ADVISORY (July 4-5): Poor air quality due to #IndependenceDay fireworks is likely this #FourthofJuly holiday. Personal ‘backyard’ fireworks also contribute to this air pollution and may lead to negative health effects.”
Air quality alert issued by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality: “Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion today. Symptoms of ozone exposure may include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation.”
What’s Next
Most air quality alerts will expire by Thursday or Friday night, depending on the location.
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