Millions of Americans across multiple states have been advised to monitor themselves for shortness of breath and unusual fatigue amid concerns over high air pollution levels.
Ongoing air quality alerts were issued on Wednesday across large parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Texas and California, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The warnings mean ground-level ozone and particulate concentrations are forecast to reach dangerous levels.
Why It Matters
The NWS warned that both sensitive groups—such as children, seniors, and individuals with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions—and the general public might experience health effects linked to poor air quality in the affected regions.
In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting smoke from wildfires.
What To Know
The NWS said in its alert notices: “People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.
“If you have heart disease: symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.”
It added: “People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.”
In New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, air quality health advisories for fine particulates are in place until late Wednesday evening across large parts of the states.
Code Orange air quality alerts have been issued across large swathes of Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania. A Code Orange means that air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.
In Illinois, an Air Pollution Action Day has been issued for the greater Chicago Metropolitan Area, which means that ozone and particulate levels are expected to pose risks for sensitive groups.
Air quality advisories and alerts for fine particulates have also been issued for northern Michigan, northern and eastern Wisconsin, and far northeast Minnesota.
Meanwhile in Colorado, an air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke is in effect until 9 a.m. MT on Wednesday.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued an Ozone Action Day for the Dallas-Fort Worth area for Wednesday.
In California, an air quality alert for harmful particle pollution from wildfire smoke is in effect for the San Bernardino Mountains, Angeles National Forest, San Jacinto Mountains, Coachella Valley, the Santa Rosa Reservation, and parts of the Inland Empire.
What People Are Saying
California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District said in the NWS alert: “Particles in wildfire smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing. Everyone can be affected, but 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.”
Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said in the alert: “Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.”
It added: “Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.”
TCEQ said in the alert: “Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Wednesday. You can help prevent ozone pollution by sharing a ride, walking, riding a bicycle, taking your lunch to work, avoiding drive-through lanes, conserving energy, and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.”
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, previously told Newsweek that there are “very clear links” between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
He added: “There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they’ve got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults.”
What Happens Next
The majority of the air quality alerts are currently set to remain in force until late Wednesday evening.
Regular updates regarding air pollution levels are issued on the NWS website and on the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow interactive map.
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