Millions Told To Monitor Unusual Fatigue, Palpitations

Newsweek

4 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Millions of Americans have been urged to watch out for unusual fatigue and palpitations amid concerns over high air pollution levels.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of air quality alerts on Tuesday for large swathes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Colorado, Texas and California.
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.
"People with 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 said. "People with asthma: follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy."
It added: "Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease, heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion."
The Statue of Liberty is seen through haze from Canadian wildfires earlier in August.
The Statue of Liberty is seen through haze from Canadian wildfires earlier in August.
Yuki Iwamura/AP
What To Know
In Connecticut and Rhode Island, Air Quality Action Days have been issued until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, covering urban areas such as New Haven, Hartford, Providence and Newport. The alerts mean that ground level ozone levels may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
Air quality alerts have been issued in New York and Massachusetts until 11 p.m., covering areas including the Bronx, Queens, Boston and Plymouth. In New Hampshire, an air quality alert has been issued until 10 p.m.
In Minnesota, an air quality alert for fine particle pollution has been issued until 9 a.m., and in Wisconsin an air quality advisory has been issued for most northern counties until 3 p.m.
Meanwhile in Colorado, an air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke has been issued for a number of western counties until 9 a.m. following the Stoner Mesa fire.
In California, an air quality alert has been issued due to harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust in the Coachella Valley.
And in Texas, an Ozone Action Day has been issued for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
What People Are Saying
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said: "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. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill."
California's South Coast Air Quality Management District said: "Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections. 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."
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 Tuesday.
Regular updates regarding air pollution levels are issued on the NWS website and on the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow interactive map.