Millions of Americans Told To Avoid Driving

Millions of Americans have been urged to avoid driving amid concerns over high air pollution levels.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued air quality alerts in Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana on Friday.

The warnings mean ground-level ozone and particulate concentrations are forecast to reach dangerous levels. In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting wildfire smoke.

Why It Matters

The NWS warned that the general public as well as sensitive groups—children, seniors and individuals with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions—might experience health effects linked to poor air quality in the affected regions.

“Air pollutants can cause breathing difficulties for children, the elderly, as well as persons with respiratory problems,” the NWS said. “Those individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate matter or smoke are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during this advisory.”

It added: “Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems.”

What To Know

In Colorado, an action day for multiple pollutants has been issued for the Front Range Urban Corridor. Hot, dry weather combined with wildfire smoke will allow ozone and fine particulate concentrations to reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.

“If possible, please help us reduce pollution by limiting driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles until at least 4 p.m.,” the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said.

In Oregon, an air quality advisory is in effect until Friday evening in Lane and Douglas counties.

“Wildfires burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels,” the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) said.

In Washington, an air quality alert has been issued for Kittitas, Yakima, Klickitat, Benton, Walla Walla, Franklin, and Columbia counties due to wildfire smoke.

In Idaho, an air quality advisory has been issued in Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties until noon on Saturday due to degraded air quality from wildfire smoke. An advisory is also in force for the Nez Perce Reservation until 10 a.m. PT on Friday.

In Montana, an air quality alert has been issued until 9 a.m. Friday due to elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke for far western counties.

In Wyoming, an air quality alert for wildfire smoke has been issued across large swathes of northern, eastern and south-eastern counties until noon on Friday.

What People Are Saying

The CDPHE said in a statement: “If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present.”

Oregon’s DEQ said: “People can take the following precautions to protect their health: Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality; avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of poor air quality; people with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high; use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating, ventilation, cooling and air purification systems; avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible.”

The Wyoming Department of Health said: “The Wyoming Department of Health recommends the elderly, young children, and individuals with respiratory problems avoid excessive physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities during this time. Wildfire smoke is made up of a variety of pollutants, including particulate matter and ozone, which can cause respiratory health effects. Although these people are most susceptible to health impacts, the Department of Health also advises that everyone should avoid prolonged exposure to poor air quality conditions.”

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.”