Alert Urging People to Check Themselves for Coughs Remains in One State

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Officials in Maine are urging people to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing as poor air quality persists across parts of the state on Monday from Canadian wildfires.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Greg Cornwell, who works at the Gray, Maine, office, told Newsweek that the smoke might dissipate from Maine on Tuesday but looks like it will return by Tuesday night.
Why It Matters
Experts and public health authorities have pointed to the increased frequency and distribution of air quality alerts as evidence of persistent and growing challenges posed by air pollution in the United States. Nearly half of Americans currently live in areas receiving failing grades for particulate or ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association's (ALA) "State of the Air" report.
Over the past few weeks, wildfire smoke from Canada has descended into the U.S. and further worsened the air quality in some states. Among them, Maine has been on high alert, with residents advised to monitor themselves for symptoms if they are exposed to the polluted air.
What to Know
Smoke from Canadian wildfires significantly degraded air quality across large portions of the U.S. during the past week, leading to the issuance of air quality alerts in several states. These alerts specifically advised residents to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing, as exposure to wildfire smoke can trigger respiratory difficulties and, in some cases, increased risks for heart attacks and strokes, as Dr. Scott Budinger, chief of pulmonary and critical care at Northwestern University, previously told Newsweek.
The most affected regions included the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and parts of the Northeast. At the height of the alerts, states such as Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin were advised to be especially vigilant, with public health authorities urging individuals who develop symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, or shortness of breath to limit outdoor activity.
The alert persists in Maine on Monday, with officials from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) highlighting risks for particularly sensitive populations, including children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions. The most recently issued air quality alert relayed by the NWS is in place for the cities of Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Portland, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Westbrook, Yarmouth, Brunswick, Arrowsic, Bath, Phippsburg, Bowdoinham, Topsham, and Bowdoin.
The affected areas expect to see PM2.5 levels—fine particulate pollution commonly associated with wildfire smoke—rising to the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' range on the Air Quality Index on Monday. As of 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, air monitoring stations across Maine reported "Moderate" air quality.
Health officials across multiple states instructed residents to closely observe their respiratory health during these periods of poor air quality. Recommendations included avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, keeping windows closed overnight, and using home air purifiers with high-efficiency filters.
Alerts pointed to a particular danger for those with asthma or cardiovascular disease, with guidance for high-risk individuals to keep medications on hand and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or intensify.
If someone experiences coughing as a symptom, Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a volunteer medical spokesperson with the American Lung Association (ALA), told Newsweek that they should see their doctor if the cough is accompanied by breathlessness or lasts for more than seven days.
What People Are Saying
National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Cornwell told Newsweek: "Tuesday during day will be more clear of smoke. By evening, that [upper-level low pressure system] will be pushing more smoke into the region heading into Tuesday night. It won't be quite as potent toward surface, which is good news for folks sensitive to that."
Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos previously told Newsweek: "Your cough itself doesn't need emergent medical attention. However, if you're also experiencing breathlessness, talk to your doctor or seek more urgent care."
NWS air quality alert for Maine: "The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly, those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and anyone who is working hard outdoors. It is okay to be active outdoors. But if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities."
What Happens Next?
The most recent air quality alert in Maine is expected to expire by midnight on Monday. However, it is possible more alerts will be issued depending on how weather trends affect the direction of the wildfire smoke this week.