Latest news with #AirQualityAdvisories
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Hundreds of Thousands Told To Stay Inside in 4 States
Hundreds of thousands of residents in four states have been advised to remain indoors as air quality alerts continue to blanket the Midwest. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which offers a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels across Minnesota and parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa are deemed to be "unhealthy" on Wednesday. The EPA and the National Weather Service (NWS) urged people to reduce exposure to outdoor air after wildfires and current weather conditions have deteriorated air quality, pushing pollution levels into hazardous territory in several communities. The ongoing alerts show the health risks posed by smoke and air pollutants carried over vast areas, especially for sensitive groups including children, seniors, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Minnesota has been impacted by wildfires this week, adding to the devastation already caused by a string of blazes last month that consumed more than 35,000 acres of land. The state, as well as Iowa and Wisconsin have been experiencing poor air quality for the last few days. The Wisconsin cities facing a red warning with Air Quality Index (AQI) scores of between 151-200 (see below) include Eau Claire, La Crosse and Green Bay. The red warning means that "some members of the general public may experience "health effects," while members of sensitive groups "may experience more serious health effects." In Minnesota, the red warning covers Rochester and parts of Minneapolis; in Iowa, Mason City; and in Michigan, Menominee and Iron Mountain. Meanwhile, the NWS has published Air Quality Advisories for millions of people on Tuesday across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. Various alerts in different states advised that individuals "consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects." It added that 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." In some states, Americans were advised to drive less, work from home, wait to mow the lawn and refill vehicles tanks after sunset. Smoke from ongoing wildfires, aggravated by stagnant atmospheric conditions, has driven particulate pollution to hazardous levels. People most at risk include those with chronic heart or lung diseases, older adults, children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing, or difficulty breathing when air quality levels are particularly poor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wrote on its website about air quality alerts: "The color red represents an index value of 151 to 200. This means the air quality is unhealthy. Everyone needs to be concerned. Sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time when the air quality is better. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Take more breaks during all outdoor activities." The EPA said: "When air quality is in this range, any individual who is active outdoors may experience the respiratory effects described above. Members of sensitive groups are likely to experience more severe effects. EPA's risk assessment indicates that at this level for healthy individuals (adults and children) at moderate exertion." It added: "Approximately 30 percent are estimated to experience moderate or greater lung function impairment, approximately 15 percent are estimated to experience large or greater lung function impairments, and approximately 5 percent are estimated to experience moderate to severe respiratory symptoms (i.e., chest pain with deep inspiration and aggravated cough)." Officials will continue to monitor air quality and update guidance as conditions evolve. Residents are urged to stay informed via EPA's AirNow portal and local weather channels for the latest alerts and health recommendations. Related Articles Michigan Residents Told to Shut Windows, Adapt Air ConMap Shows States Where People Told to Stay Indoors TodayHundreds of Thousands Told To Stay Indoors in 3 StatesMore Than 200,000 People Told To Stay Indoors in 3 States 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Hundreds of Thousands Told To Stay Inside in 4 States
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. Hundreds of thousands of residents in four states have been advised to remain indoors as air quality alerts continue to blanket the Midwest. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) AirNow map, which offers a real-time snapshot of air quality, shows that air pollution levels across Minnesota and parts of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa are deemed to be "unhealthy" on Wednesday. The EPA and the National Weather Service (NWS) urged people to reduce exposure to outdoor air after wildfires and current weather conditions have deteriorated air quality, pushing pollution levels into hazardous territory in several communities. Why It Matters The ongoing alerts show the health risks posed by smoke and air pollutants carried over vast areas, especially for sensitive groups including children, seniors, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. Minnesota has been impacted by wildfires this week, adding to the devastation already caused by a string of blazes last month that consumed more than 35,000 acres of land. The state, as well as Iowa and Wisconsin have been experiencing poor air quality for the last few days. File photo: a thick haze hangs over Manhattan in New York. File photo: a thick haze hangs over Manhattan in New York. Julie Jacobson/AP What To Know The Wisconsin cities facing a red warning with Air Quality Index (AQI) scores of between 151-200 (see below) include Eau Claire, La Crosse and Green Bay. The red warning means that "some members of the general public may experience "health effects," while members of sensitive groups "may experience more serious health effects." In Minnesota, the red warning covers Rochester and parts of Minneapolis; in Iowa, Mason City; and in Michigan, Menominee and Iron Mountain. Meanwhile, the NWS has published Air Quality Advisories for millions of people on Tuesday across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine. Various alerts in different states advised that individuals "consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects." It added that 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." In some states, Americans were advised to drive less, work from home, wait to mow the lawn and refill vehicles tanks after sunset. Smoke from ongoing wildfires, aggravated by stagnant atmospheric conditions, has driven particulate pollution to hazardous levels. People most at risk include those with chronic heart or lung diseases, older adults, children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing, or difficulty breathing when air quality levels are particularly poor. What People Are Saying The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wrote on its website about air quality alerts: "The color red represents an index value of 151 to 200. This means the air quality is unhealthy. Everyone needs to be concerned. Sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Move activities indoors or reschedule to a time when the air quality is better. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Take more breaks during all outdoor activities." The EPA said: "When air quality is in this range, any individual who is active outdoors may experience the respiratory effects described above. Members of sensitive groups are likely to experience more severe effects. EPA's risk assessment indicates that at this level for healthy individuals (adults and children) at moderate exertion." It added: "Approximately 30 percent are estimated to experience moderate or greater lung function impairment, approximately 15 percent are estimated to experience large or greater lung function impairments, and approximately 5 percent are estimated to experience moderate to severe respiratory symptoms (i.e., chest pain with deep inspiration and aggravated cough)." What Happens Next Officials will continue to monitor air quality and update guidance as conditions evolve. Residents are urged to stay informed via EPA's AirNow portal and local weather channels for the latest alerts and health recommendations.
