Air quality alerts issued across Illinois. But how safe are you inside your home?
Although it is recommended to hunker inside during these stretches, experts say indoor air quality can often be just as bad, if not worse, than outdoor air quality.
'When they're in the home, their windows are closed, the doors are shut and locked, and they think, 'this is my indoor air, and it's totally different than what's in the outdoor air,'' said Ian Cull, founder and chief science officer of Indoor Science, an indoor air quality consulting and training company headquartered in Aurora. 'But homes and all buildings are leakier than what people imagine.'
There were two multi-day periods of bad air quality in the Midwest earlier this summer — both due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. In June, Chicago saw three days of some of the worst air quality in the world, and in mid-July, air quality was bad enough for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to declare an 'Air Quality Action Day' – when air quality is at least unhealthy for sensitive groups for two or more consecutive days. Thursday afternoon, Chicago's air was ranked worst in the world, according to Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.
But staying indoors with air conditioning doesn't offer complete protection — nor does it necessarily mean that your indoor air quality was good to begin with.
'Wildfire smoke contains particles that are so small they can get through ventilation system filters and AC units,' said Susan Buchanan, clinical associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago.
Fine particulate matter is defined as particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller. For comparison, the width of a human hair is about 80 micrometers. These particulates are the biggest and most dangerous pollutant in wildfire smoke.
In the short term, fine particulate matter causes irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, with symptoms mimicking allergies or the common cold. Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is still being studied, but exposure to other fine particulate matter causes a wide variety of health effects, including decreased lung function and heart issues or heart attacks.
But even when outdoor air is considered healthy, indoor air quality can often be much worse than what's outside. That's because indoor products like cleaning supplies, candles, and even spray deodorant can significantly worsen indoor air quality, according to a series of studies released by Purdue University in February. Cooking fumes, dust, smoking indoors, and pet dander also bring down air quality.
In addition, most homes are underventilated, or they rely on air conditioning systems that recirculate the dirty indoor air. That's why even when a home air purification system is in place, Cull said it's generally a good idea to open doors and windows every day or so to bring in fresh air.
'The whole benefit of ventilation is to flush out some of the contaminants that we've created,' Cull said. 'But then the tables are turned when outdoor air quality is bad. Then, indoor air, despite its chemicals from cleaners and personal care products, ends up being better than the outdoor air.'
Air quality is measured on a scale of 0 to 500 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with 0 being good and anything above 300 being hazardous. The value is calculated from tracking five factors: ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. When air quality is above 100, sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor time, and above 150, like it is Thursday, air quality is unhealthy for everyone.
According to experts, climate change is increasing the intensity, frequency and reach of the Canadian wildfires.
Buchanan recommended that people check the Air Quality Index online every day.
'People with respiratory conditions like asthma, pregnant people, and the elderly should stay indoors in AC,' she said.
To keep indoor air as clean and fresh as possible, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends that people minimize the amount of indoor-air pollutants they use. Chemical cleaning should wait until the air quality improves, and fuel-burning stoves should not be used.
When these recommendations can't be followed, especially when outdoor air quality is bad for an extended period of time. Cull and Buchanan said a standalone air purifier is the best ally.
Cull said that air purifiers with HEPA filters are the best for improving air quality. HEPA, which stands for high efficiency particulate air, is the highest standard of air filter, with the ability to remove at least 99.97% of the most common microscopic pollutants and particulate matter from the air. This includes pet dander, dust, pollen, mold, and even bacteria.
Cull also warned that some air filters are known to produce ozone as a byproduct when they remove particulates from the air. This is most commonly seen in air purifiers with ionizers or UV light components.
Dr. Momen Wahidi, an interventional pulmonologist and medical director of Northwestern Medicine's Canning Thoracic Institute, says that hospitalizations only went up a little bit during the last two air quality alerts in Chicago this year — but that doesn't mean that this is not an issue.
'I know I've dealt with this about a month or two ago, again from the wildfire,' he said. 'We're probably going to see this issue popping up more often.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
42 minutes ago
- UPI
Multiple sclerosis could affect health years before classic symptoms
New research from Canada's University of British Columbia found patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis started to experience new health issues up to 15 years before showing the classic symptoms of the condition. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay Aug. 4 (UPI) -- People with multiple sclerosis, or MS, begin experiencing new health issues up to 15 years before the classic signs of the illness appear, Canadian research shows. "MS can be difficult to recognize as many of the earliest signs -- like fatigue, headache, pain and mental health concerns -- can be quite general and easily mistaken for other conditions," study senior author Helen Tremlett noted. "Our findings dramatically shift the timeline for when these early warning signs are thought to begin, potentially opening the door to opportunities for earlier detection and intervention," said Tremlett, a professor of neurology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her team published its findings Friday in JAMA Network Open. MS is an autoimmune illness in which the body's immune system goes awry, attacking the protective myelin sheath that surrounds nerves within the brain and along the spinal cord. Communication breaks down between the brain and the body, leading to progressive disability. The new study that suggests MS may begin more than a decade before a clinical diagnosis. Tremlett's group combed through British Columbia health data for 12,000 people with or without MS. Records went back as far as 25 years prior to an MS patient's diagnosis. That's far longer than the five to 10 years covered in earlier studies looking at disease onset. The main findings: Fifteen years before the onset of classic MS symptoms, there was a noticeable uptick in patient visits to their general practitioner, or in visits to specialists for issues like fatigue, pain and dizziness, as well as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Twelve years before symptom onset, visits to psychiatrists began to rise. Eight to nine years before, visits to neurologists and eye specialists rose, perhaps linked to issues such as blurred vision or eye pain. Three to five years before, researchers noted a rise in visits to emergency departments and/or radiology facilities. One year before, visits peaked for a wide range of different physician types, such as neurologists, radiologists and emergency doctors. "These patterns suggest that MS has a long and complex prodromal phase -- where something is happening beneath the surface but hasn't yet declared itself as MS," said study first author Dr. Marta Ruiz-Algueró, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC. "We're only now starting to understand what these early warning signs are, with mental health-related issues appearing to be among the earliest indicators," she added in a news release. The researchers stressed that the early issues that drove MS patients to seek out care can be caused by a myriad of health conditions. Simply experiencing these conditions does not mean a person will go on to develop MS. Nevertheless, "By identifying these earlier red flags, we may eventually be able to intervene sooner -- whether that's through monitoring, support or preventive strategies," Tremlett said a university news release. "It opens new avenues for research into early biomarkers, lifestyle factors and other potential triggers that may be at play during this previously overlooked phase of the disease." More information Find out more about multiple sclerosis at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where People Told To Monitor for Coughs, Chest Tightness
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of residents across three states were asked to monitor themselves for health symptoms such as coughing and chest tightness on Monday as poor air quality persisted. Why It Matters Large areas of Maine, Michigan and Vermont faced elevated air pollution levels on Monday, prompting state agencies to issue air quality alerts and health advisories. The warnings, spurred by smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires, emphasized risks for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The alerts highlighted broader concerns about the impact of wildfire smoke on public health across the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, as similar conditions have become a frequent occurrence this summer due to wildfire patterns. What To Know The Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Air Quality issued an alert for particle pollution across the state until 11 p.m. EDT on Monday. The alert covered areas including Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Waldo and several coastal counties. Officials warned that particle pollution levels were expected to be in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range, and recommended people limit strenuous outdoor activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. The very young, elderly, people with respiratory conditions such as asthma and heart disease, and those who work hard outdoors, were mentioned as especially vulnerable. Residents experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or chest discomfort were advised to decrease the intensity and duration of outdoor activities. A stock photo shows a man experiencing chest tightness. A stock photo shows a man experiencing chest tightness. Motortion/Getty Similarly, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy declared an Air Quality Advisory for Monday across the state, spanning Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Genesee, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne and more. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels were projected to reach "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" range, with some locations forecasted to hit the "Unhealthy" range. The advisory urged everyone—particularly those with heart or respiratory illnesses—to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and monitor for symptoms like coughing, chest tightness or wheezing. Additional guidance included keeping windows closed, using filtered air systems and limiting activities contributing to outdoor air pollution such as burning wood. In Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Health Advisory warning of fine particulates to hit the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Monday for Eastern Addison, Eastern Rutland, Eastern Windsor, Orange, Western Addison, Western Rutland and Western Windsor counties in effect through midnight. "Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion," the alert said. "It's okay to be active outside, but take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath." Several other states across the Upper Midwest and Northeast also had air quality alerts in place, although the alerts didn't specify that people should monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing or chest tightness. What People Are Saying National Weather Service meteorologist John Boris at the Gaylord, Michigan, office told Newsweek: "Right now, our biggest issue is the fact that there really isn't a whole lot of we get a little bit more flow, there's probably a couple more days of us dealing with this, at least in Michigan." An air quality alert issued in Michigan: "It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes." What Happens Next The advisories in Maine, Michigan and Vermont were expected to remain in effect through Monday night, with potential for extension depending on smoke migration and weather conditions. Officials continue to urge residents to track air quality forecasts through official resources, heed recommendations for health precautions, and reduce activities—such as open burning—that exacerbate air pollution.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
The Best Mattresses In Canada That Offer More Comfort And Better Rest
There are plenty of Canadian-based mattress brands with a catalog of quality choices, but not every bed is made to suit every body. To find the best mattress in Canada that properly accommodates your needs, it's important to consider factors like your sleeping position, body type and personal preferences. The Octave Vista Mattress is our top overall pick because its medium-firm profile suits a wide range of sleep postures, it offers great motion isolation for couples and it has cooling capabilities to help relieve hot sleepers, all at a solid value. The Octave Vista is our editors' choice as the best mattress in Canada, among several other picks ... More from popular brands like Nectar and Emma. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer Alternatively, we offer a list of other well-loved mattresses in Canada that cater to other sleepers, like those who prefer a supportive bed made with coils or an eco-friendly choice that utilizes responsive and durable latex foam. Each mattress listed in our roundup is vetted and approved by senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman and I; we've tested hundreds of top-rated mattresses from reputable brands, including several of the recommendations ahead. Our Top Recommendations Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 15 years Best for: Couples (good motion isolation) Those who want to effortlessly clean their bed (machine-washable cover) People who sleep hot Back, stomach and combination sleepers Skip if: You sleep predominantly on your side You prefer a bouncier bed for easier movement The Octave Vista Mattress is an appealing choice for its feature-rich design that retails for less than $1,000 (for a queen). It's four layers thick and stands 12 inches tall. On the inside is a zoned support layer divided into five parts that provide targeted pressure relief and spinal reinforcement where your body needs it most, responsive foam for contouring and copper gel-infused foam for comfort and temperature regulation. Externally, the cover is infused with 'CryoFusion,' the brand's proprietary cooling tech that's engineered with polyethylene to pull heat away from the mattress and offer a chill sensation. The cover is also removable and machine washable, making it easy to maintain. A memory foam mattress with this many features under $1,000 is a standout value, which is why it's earned our best overall choice. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 101 nights | Warranty: 25 years Best for: Stomach, back and combination sleepers Those prone to sleeping hot Petite to plus-size body types Couples who share a smaller bed (good edge support) Skip if: You're a strict side sleeper who wants an ultra-plush feel The GhostBed Signature Mattress, previously known as the GhostBed Flex, has undergone a major transformation and features premium upgrades that makes it enticing for a variety of sleep postures and body types, and especially people who are prone to sleeping hot. It's layered with temperature-regulating materials from top to bottom, including a Ghost Ice cover that's cool to the touch, gel-infused memory foam for comfort and individually wrapped coils for increased airflow and support. The aforementioned innerspring layer is also encased by dense foam that enhances edge support, a bonus for couples who share a queen- or full-size mattress or anyone who prefers a sturdy perimeter. Its primary comfort foams give it a blended feel that combines the responsiveness of latex foam with the cushioning of memory foam, and the center layer is zoned to provide more support under the lumbar region. With that said, we think its medium-firm profile may be too firm for most side sleepers, especially those under 250 pounds. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm, medium-firm, plush | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 15 years Best for: Most sleeping positions thanks to different firmnesses Eco-conscious buyers; certified organic, nontoxic materials Petite to heavy body types Skip if: You prefer a contouring, hugging mattress feel You aren't willing to pay more for a softer profile With a list of green certifications to back its eco-friendly design (GOTS, GOLS and Eco-Institut), multiple firmness profile options and a supportive hybrid construction, the Silk & Snow Organic was an easy choice as the best latex mattress in Canada. It utilizes cotton, wool and latex—all certified organic—and pocketed coils with a three-zone design that are soft around the shoulders and hips for pressure relief but firm underneath the center spine for added support. These materials make the mattress feel supportive, lifted, light and airy all at the same time. Its edges are also reinforced for stronger perimeter support, a benefit for couples who share a mattress or those who live with back pain or mobility issues. We recommend side sleepers consider the plush model for ideal softness and the medium-firm or firm to back and stomach sleepers. Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Back, side and combination sleepers Sleepers who share a mattress with a partner Those who love a classic memory foam feel Skip if: You only sleep on your stomach and weigh over 150 pounds You weigh over 250 pounds The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is the brand's flagship bed that melds marshmallowy comfort with dense support, a winning combination for those who love the material's signature hugging feel. It contains gel-infused memory foam near the top layer for body contouring and temperature regulation, while a more responsive foam layer sits underneath and minimizes that quicksand, extra-doughy feel some memory foam mattresses provide. The cover is also woven with polyethylene fibers to help draw heat away from the body, though it's not as cool to the touch as the Ghost Ice cover on the GhostBed Signature Mattress. One of this bed's strong suits is its ability to isolate motion, and it has decent edge support for an all-foam bed. We think its construction is best for those under 250 pounds and people who favor their back or side. Though it's advertised as being medium-firm, we found it's slightly softer. For a denser foam feel, sleepers should consider the Nectar Premier Copper. Note: Nectar recently upgraded its entire collection of mattresses, but the new models are not yet sold in Canada. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free shipping | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Back, stomach and combo sleepers Those who want a machine-washable mattress cover A range of body types thanks to balanced feel Skip if: You prefer a softer mattress You value stellar edge support The Emma Original Mattress is a supportive hybrid that originally retails right under $1,000—but is often on sale for less. This makes it comparable in price to the all-foam Octave Vista Mattress, but the Emma has a more durable and long-lasting construction made with a steel coil base rather than dense polyurethane foam. Its pocketed coils are also split into seven zones for targeted support under your spine and pressure relief for your hips and shoulders. Stacked on top are three foam layers for added cushion and comfort, while the cover is soft and moisture wicking to keep you more comfortable during the night. Forbes Vetted is the online destination for top-tier product recommendations and guides. Our mattress and sleep category is managed by tenured editors and writers with vast knowledge on the topic and testing experience. Our library contains everything from detailed roundups like the best mattresses for back pain and best sleep tech to guides on how to feng shui your bedroom for better rest. McKenzie Dillon authored this story and is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She has a sleep science coach certification, six years of experience writing and researching about sleep and has tested over 100 different mattresses (and counting). Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted with over a decade of reporting and editing experience. She also has her sleep science coach certification and has tested hundreds of sleep products, which includes over 200 mattresses. Our editors and writers are experts in the mattress space, and they rely on their own experience in addition to expert and customer insights to help inform their articles. First, we looked upon the brands that operate in Canada that we have personal experience with and can speak to the quality of their products. We considered mattresses that varied in firmness, construction and feel to accommodate a range of different sleep postures and body types. We also took important factors like edge support, motion isolation and temperature into consideration. We only highlighted mattresses that have earned a 4-star rating or higher from verified customer reviews. The most common mattress materials are memory foam, latex foam and pocketed coils (which are the new generation of innersprings), and each material has its own benefits and drawbacks. Memory foam mattresses are known for being pressure relieving and good at isolating motion. They either feel dense and slow to respond to pressure, or light and airy like a marshmallow. The downside? This material tends to retain heat, so it's important to find memory foam infused with temperature-regulating materials like gel, copper or phase change material. are known for being pressure relieving and good at isolating motion. They either feel dense and slow to respond to pressure, or light and airy like a marshmallow. The downside? This material tends to retain heat, so it's important to find memory foam infused with temperature-regulating materials like gel, copper or phase change material. Latex foam mattresses are either made with organic or synthetic materials. Organic latex comes from the sap from rubber trees and is processed with minimal chemicals, while synthetic latex is made with more chemicals and non-renewable resources. Natural and organic latex beds are of a more premium quality overall and contain other materials sourced from the earth's resources, like organic cotton and wool. These beds are more cooling, durable and responsive than other mattress types. However, they tend to be on the firm end of the spectrum (or you have to pay more for a soft profile) and are more expensive than memory foam. are either made with organic or synthetic materials. Organic latex comes from the sap from rubber trees and is processed with minimal chemicals, while synthetic latex is made with more chemicals and non-renewable resources. Natural and organic latex beds are of a more premium quality overall and contain other materials sourced from the earth's resources, like organic cotton and wool. These beds are more cooling, durable and responsive than other mattress types. However, they tend to be on the firm end of the spectrum (or you have to pay more for a soft profile) and are more expensive than memory foam. Hybrid mattresses contain both coils and foams in their construction. They can vary in firmness and feel due to the different types of foams used for their comfort layers. As for the support layer, pocketed coils are the upgraded version of innersprings and are most commonly found in hybrids. They are individually wrapped so they move independently from each other, rather than as one complete system like innersprings. They make a mattress more supportive and durable, but also pricier. Firmness The best firmness primarily depends on your sleeping posture, whether it's side, back, stomach or a combination of them all. Side sleepers usually do best sleeping on a soft to medium mattress that properly gives underneath the shoulder and hip and offers ample pressure relief. usually do best sleeping on a soft to medium mattress that properly gives underneath the shoulder and hip and offers ample pressure relief. Back sleepers typically are most comfortable sleeping on a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine supported and in a neutral alignment. typically are most comfortable sleeping on a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine supported and in a neutral alignment. Stomach sleepers should consider a medium-firm to firm mattress that keeps the spine and hips from dipping into the bed, which can lead to back pain. should consider a medium-firm to firm mattress that keeps the spine and hips from dipping into the bed, which can lead to back pain. Combination sleepers can cater to their preferred sleeping position or choose a medium to medium-firm option that balances support and pressure relief. Body Type Your body type also plays a role in choosing the mattress that's most accommodating. Individuals who weigh over 250 pounds are more comfortable and supported on hybrid mattresses because of their steel coil bases. And as a general rule, the heavier you are, the softer a mattress feels. The opposite is true for sleepers who weigh under 150 pounds—the less you weigh, the firmer a mattress feels. Keep this in mind when you're determining a comfortable firmness level. Which Mattresses Are Made In Canada? While all of the mattresses included in this article ship to Canada, the Octave Vista Mattress and the Silk & Snow Organic Mattress are actually made in Canada. The GhostBed Flex Hybrid Mattress is made in Canada and the U.S. How Much Is A Good Mattress In Canada? A quality mattress in Canada starts around $600 for a queen size but can cost upwards of $2,000 if it has luxury materials or advancements. What Do I Look For When Buying A Mattress In Canada? The most important factors when buying a mattress in Canada, or anywhere for that matter, are sleeping position, body type, firmness, durability and temperature. Couples should also take motion isolation and edge support into consideration.
