Key Takeaways

• The northeastern region of the United States is experiencing harmful levels of air pollution due to the smoke from wildfires, which is obscuring the skies.
• Smoke inhalation can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild respiratory irritation to more serious conditions that require hospitalization. 
• A person can safeguard their lung health in several straightforward ways, including donning a mask that fits properly and minimizing their time spent outside.

A heavy cloud has been thrown over most of the northeastern United States as a result of smoke from the more than 100 wildfires that are currently raging in Quebec.

According to the official tracker AirNow.gov, several states, ranging from New York to South Carolina, are currently experiencing "unhealthy" to "hazardous" levels of air pollution. Following the recording of the greatest level of air pollution in the city since the 1960s, the New York City school district decided to postpone all outdoor activities for Wednesday and Thursday.

Smoke from wildfires has the potential to aggravate existing respiratory conditions as well as cause harm to the lungs and the heart.1 Smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat in addition to causing coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath when exposed to it for only a short period. People with preexisting medical disorders, such as asthma, heart disease, or lung illness, as well as elderly persons, pregnant women, and young children, can find this to be an especially problematic issue.

The following are some important things you can do to protect your health on days when the air quality is poor.

Don't bother with the activities outside.

The easiest method to avoid the negative effects of smoke from wildfires on your health is to reduce the amount of smoke exposure you get. If you can perceive either the sight or the odor of smoke, then you are being exposed to it.

Remain as much as possible inside, and when you are outside, avoid engaging in strenuous physical activity. If you can do so, this means going to an inside gym to work out rather than going for a stroll or riding your bike outside.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was speaking at a news briefing, "Today is not the day to train for a marathon or to do an outdoor event with your children."

Mask Up

If you have to go outside, it might be time to remember one of the most important things you learned during the COVID-19 epidemic, which is that wearing a mask protects your lungs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advises against wearing cloth or surgical face masks. These masks may be effective enough to filter out a significant number of the droplets that contain COVID-19 viruses, but they are not designed to prevent inhalation of the minute particles that are found in smoke.

The FDA suggests using N95 respirators or the alternative KN95 respirators, both of which can filter out around 95% of airborne particles.

Keep the Windows Closed and Do Your Best to Reduce the Pollution Inside

The majority of pollution may be avoided by simply keeping your windows closed. It is acceptable to have a fan running during the warmer days.

Be aware, however, that many window air conditioners and central air conditioning and heating systems pull air from the outdoors and bring it inside, which can bring in cigarette smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests turning off the air conditioner entirely or setting it on the recirculate setting if either of these options is available.

Consider using an air purifier inside your home to combat the dust and other allergens that find their way inside. If you do not own a transportable air purifier, you can improvise one by using a box fan and an air filter that has been authorized by NIOSH.

According to the advice of the CDC, it is essential to avoid contributing to the pollution of the air indoors. Candles, incense, tobacco, and other goods that are smoked produce the same kinds of hazardous particles as are released by wildfires. These particles can be inhaled or ingested.

Monitor the State of the Air

The amount of pollution in the air is indicated by the Air Quality Index (AQI). When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is greater than 150, it has the potential to produce major health impacts among sensitive groups; however, when the AQI is greater than 200, it is dangerous for everyone.

AirNow.gov is a collaborative website run by the Environmental Protection Agency and several other government organizations. It provides up-to-date information on the air quality index (AQI) in more than 500 communities around the United States and also provides information on the status of active fires.

Data on the quality of the air is compiled by websites such as PurpleAir and AirVisual using sensors set up by individual users. These can provide a more specific picture of the AQI in a given area than the statistics provided by the government alone.  

What All of This Indicates About You

Talk to your doctor about how to care for your respiratory health during periods when the air quality is poor if you have a history of lung or heart illness. Also, consult with your doctor if you are experiencing chest pain. If you are experiencing new or worsening respiratory or other health issues, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible.