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Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Millions Of Americans Are Being Advised Not To Go Outside
In the wake of massive wildfires in Canada's Manitoba province, people thousands of miles away are being warned to stay indoors thanks to the noxious ash and smoke that's traveling on the wind to their homes. As flagged by Newsweek, people who live in eight American states (and four Canadian provinces) are now under air pollution warning — and as an air quality map shows, the regions impacted have tens of millions of residents. According to AirNow — which publishes a real-time, color-coded air quality map based on data from dozens of state, local, and federal agencies in the US — parts of New York City, Detroit, and Oklahoma City are currently impacted by "moderate" air pollution. Poor quality air can be problematic for anyone, but especially sensitive groups including pregnant people, children, the elderly, or people with heart or lung conditions. Meanwhile, the entire area surrounding the Texas cities of Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio is under a similar air quality index (AQI) warning, and the suburbs of the latter are considered "unhealthy" or "unhealthy for sensitive groups." With more than six million people living in just those four cities alone and an additional 9.5 million in NYC, OKC, and Detroit, that means that untold millions of people are experiencing negative enough air quality that they should, if they have any health issues at all, remain indoors until the wildfire smoke passes. As the Environmental Protection Agency explains, the 500-point, color-coded AQI legend used by US-based agencies is graded based on how many people are affected by poor air quality. Even those who live "code yellow," which most of the impacted areas are currently designated, can have issues — and it might not just be "unusually sensitive" people who suffer. Though the EPA notes that it "cannot identify groups of people that are at greater risk" under "moderate" AQI, controlled human exposure studies undertaken by the agency have suggested that "there are individuals who experience health effects at more moderate levels of outdoor exertion or at lower ozone levels than the average person. "These individuals," the EPA's AQI legend explainer reads, "may experience effects when air quality is in the moderate range." While it's certainly a good thing that the AQI isn't worse in the United States right now, the fact remains that an untold number of people could be at risk due to the wildfire smoke infiltrating their cities. The only real way to avoid heightened air pollution is to stay indoors with the windows closed — and with so many people under AQI warning right now, that's an impossible ask. More on pollution: Pollution Industry Using AI to Make the Case for More Pollution Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Thousands in 8 States Advised Against Going Outside
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. Americans in at least eight states face potentially unhealthy levels of air pollution on Wednesday, official data shows. The data is shown in a live map from AirNow—a partnership of multiple U.S. federal and local agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Why It Matters Experts caution that unhealthy air quality heightens health risks for vulnerable people, such as older adults, young children, and those with respiratory illnesses. What To Know According to AirNow's interactive map, on Wednesday morning a pocket of unhealthy air was located in northern California and southern Oregon, east of Medford. The map showed another zone of unhealthy air over northern Washington. Additionally, areas of air quality in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category included the Utah-Colorado border, the Spring Mountains in Nevada east of Pahrump, northern Montana, southeast Michigan, and northwest Maine. AirNow's map highlighted areas facing the worst air quality on Wednesday morning. AirNow's map highlighted areas facing the worst air quality on Wednesday morning. AirNow Cleveland, Ohio, also faced similar air quality levels as of Wednesday morning, the AirNow map showed. Air quality is usually communicated using the Air Quality Index (AQI). This measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 301 and above. 0–50 (Green): Good. Air quality is satisfactory. Good. Air quality is satisfactory. 51–100 (Yellow): Moderate. Air quality is acceptable, with potential concerns for sensitive individuals. Moderate. Air quality is acceptable, with potential concerns for sensitive individuals. 101–150 (Orange): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air quality may affect people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant individuals. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Air quality may affect people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and pregnant individuals. 151–200 (Red): Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and sensitive groups may see more serious effects. Unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and sensitive groups may see more serious effects. 201–300 (Purple): Very Unhealthy. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Very Unhealthy. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. 301 and above (Maroon): Hazardous. The air quality requires a health warning of emergency conditions, and everyone is more likely to be affected. As of Wednesday, air quality alerts had been published by the National Weather Service (NWS) for several of these states, including Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, and Maine. When levels of ozone or particulate matter in the air reach potentially unhealthy levels, authorities advise everyone to reduce long or intense outdoor activities. Sensitive groups are advised to reschedule outdoor activities or move them indoors. What People Are Saying Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary, University of London, previously told Newsweek that there were "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 AirNow map is regularly updated. Agencies such as the NWS also issue regular forecast updates.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where Children Urged to Avoid 'Prolonged Outdoor Exposure'
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. Air quality officials in six states urged children and adults with sensitivities to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure on July 3 and the Fourth of July amid ozone and harmful levels of fine-particle pollution. Why It Matters This new wave of air quality alerts comes after Canadian wildfires prompted a slew of similar ones across the upper Midwest earlier this summer. Wildfires, blowing dust and ozone are all sources of dangerous air pollution that can trigger breathing difficulties and other health issues. Air quality alerts are more often issued during the summer fire season and when ozone is at higher concentrations because of sunlight. In addition to these pollution sources, fireworks celebrations will boom across the nation on Thursday night and over the weekend, worsening the air quality. A map created by Newsweek shows which states are affected by ozone and other pollutants on Thursday. A map created by Newsweek shows which states are affected by ozone and other pollutants on Thursday. Newsweek What To Know As of Thursday afternoon, air quality alerts were in place for the following states: Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Colorado and California. "Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing," reads an air quality alert issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California. "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." In addition to staying indoors, people were urged to keep windows and doors closed, run an air conditioner, avoid using whole-house fans or swamp coolers, and steer clear of fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered equipment until conditions improve. Ozone pollution is typically worse during the summer, according to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It's caused "when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight." Air quality monitoring maps from AirNow—a data site partnership between the EPA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Park Service; NASA; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; along with tribal, state and local air quality agencies—show moderate air quality detected across much of the nation. In Minnesota, however, air quality was also shown as being unhealthy for some. "Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected," AirNow said about the air quality levels. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Alexander McGinnis, who works at the Indianapolis office, told Newsweek: "Mid-summer, when it gets hotter and the winds are lighter, we do usually see a few days that require air quality alerts due to higher concentrations of ozone." South Coast AQMD posted to X on Thursday: "#FIREWORKS PARTICLE POLLUTION ADVISORY (July 4-5): Poor air quality due to #IndependenceDay fireworks is likely this #FourthofJuly holiday. Personal 'backyard' fireworks also contribute to this air pollution and may lead to negative health effects." Air quality alert issued by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality: "Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion today. Symptoms of ozone exposure may include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation." What's Next Most air quality alerts will expire by Thursday or Friday night, depending on the location.
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Tens of Thousands In California Told To Stay Indoors
Tens of thousands of people in southern California have been advised to remain indoors as "emergency" air quality conditions impact parts of the Coachella Valley on Friday. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which provides a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels around Cathedral City and Thousands Palms are "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" on Friday morning. The warnings mean that the risk of negative health effects from air pollution is increased for everyone, not just vulnerable populations. Air pollution and extreme heat pose significant health risks to the general public, in particular for the young, seniors and vulnerable populations such as those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The EPA warns that the current air pollution levels can lead to serious health issues, including reduced lung function, severe respiratory symptoms including chest pain and aggravated coughs, and increased hospital admissions. The AirNow Map shows that a maroon warning - the highest category - is in force for Cathedral city, which has a population of more than 50,000 people. A "hazardous" maroon warning means that pollution levels are of "emergency conditions," and that "everyone is more likely to be affected," the AirNow website says. A "very unhealthy" purple warning - the second highest category - covers Desert Edge, Sky Valley, Thousand Palms and Sunair. AirNow says that the risk of health effects are "increased for everyone" in these areas. Meanwhile, red warnings are also in force in the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage and parts of Palm Desert, along with a large area along the California-Arizona border including Yuma. Red warnings mean that "some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." The EPA said that residents should stay inside wherever possible while the air quality is so poor. "Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Sensitive groups: remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keep particle levels low indoors." It added: "The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles... [which] aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions." Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, told Newsweek previously: "There are very clear links between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases." Air quality warnings are updated regularly by the EPA and National Weather Service. Residents in affected areas can access daily forecasts and health guidance via and local agencies, with officials providing current information as environmental conditions develop. Related Articles What Is A Heat Dome? Millions To Face Scorching Temperatures This WeekendRare Summer 'Winter' Storm To Strike With Two Feet of SnowUS Heat Wave Warnings: Live Tracker Maps 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Tens of Thousands In California Told To Stay Indoors
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. Tens of thousands of people in southern California have been advised to remain indoors as "emergency" air quality conditions impact parts of the Coachella Valley on Friday. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which provides a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels around Cathedral City and Thousands Palms are "very unhealthy" to "hazardous" on Friday morning. The warnings mean that the risk of negative health effects from air pollution is increased for everyone, not just vulnerable populations. Smoke fills the air above Los Angeles during the wildfires in January. Smoke fills the air above Los Angeles during the wildfires in January. Eric Thayer/AP Why It Matters Air pollution and extreme heat pose significant health risks to the general public, in particular for the young, seniors and vulnerable populations such as those with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The EPA warns that the current air pollution levels can lead to serious health issues, including reduced lung function, severe respiratory symptoms including chest pain and aggravated coughs, and increased hospital admissions. What To Know The AirNow Map shows that a maroon warning - the highest category - is in force for Cathedral city, which has a population of more than 50,000 people. A "hazardous" maroon warning means that pollution levels are of "emergency conditions," and that "everyone is more likely to be affected," the AirNow website says. A "very unhealthy" purple warning - the second highest category - covers Desert Edge, Sky Valley, Thousand Palms and Sunair. AirNow says that the risk of health effects are "increased for everyone" in these areas. Meanwhile, red warnings are also in force in the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage and parts of Palm Desert, along with a large area along the California-Arizona border including Yuma. Red warnings mean that "some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects." What People Are Saying The EPA said that residents should stay inside wherever possible while the air quality is so poor. "Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors. Sensitive groups: remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keep particle levels low indoors." It added: "The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles... [which] aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions." Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary University of London, told Newsweek previously: "There are very clear links between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases." What Happens Next Air quality warnings are updated regularly by the EPA and National Weather Service. Residents in affected areas can access daily forecasts and health guidance via and local agencies, with officials providing current information as environmental conditions develop.
