Americans in 5 States Urged to Keep Windows Shut
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Air quality alerts were in effect across parts of five states on Thursday, with the National Weather Service (NWS), in coordination with regional agencies, advising residents to take steps to reduce the impacts of air pollution.
Why It Matters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to ozone may irritate the respiratory tract, cause airway inflammation, and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Regarding particle pollution, the EPA states that studies have linked exposure to a range of health effects, including respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Experts recommend keeping windows and doors closed during periods of low air quality.
What To Know
As of Thursday morning, air quality alerts were in effect for Minnesota, Ohio, Connecticut, Colorado, and Wisconsin.
In Minnesota, an air quality alert was issued due to fine particle pollution. Smoke from wildfires in Canada's Saskatchewan and Manitoba regions was expected to reach southwestern, northeastern, and central parts of the state on Thursday after covering the northwest the day prior, officials said.
"Some uncertainty remains regarding how far south the ground-level smoke will reach by Friday morning, when winds are expected to become southerly and push the smoke back to the north. Air quality should improve gradually from south to north beginning Friday afternoon, with improvement in fine particle levels below the alert threshold expected by the end of Friday," read the alert.
Residents were advised to keep their windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from entering their homes.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, an air quality alert was issued for the northwestern part of the state, also due to wildfire smoke originating from Canada.
In Connecticut, an air quality action day was announced for Hartford and northern Fairfield, New Haven, and Middlesex Counties.
"An Air Quality Action Day means that Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards," the alert said.
In Ohio, An Air Quality Advisory for ground-level ozone was issued by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties. It was in force until midnight Thursday night.
"Air quality levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups during this period," read the alert. Locals were advised to drive less and use alternative modes of transportation, such as public transit and biking, if possible, to help reduce regional air pollution.
Additionally, Colorado's Mesa County had been issued an air quality advisory due to smoke from "both in-state and out-of-state wildfires.
According to a live map from the non-profit Watch Duty, the Turner Gulch fire in the county had burned over 17,000 acres and was at 41 percent containment at the time of writing.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham previously told Newsweek: "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels."
What Happens Next
The NWS issues regular forecasts on its website and social media channels.
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