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Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Alert Urging People to Check Themselves for Coughs Remains in One State
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.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Alert Urging People To Monitor Themselves for Coughs Spreads to 3 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. Air quality alerts advising people to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing are in place for three states, with other warnings about poor air quality extending further as Canadian wildfire smoke descends into the U.S. In addition to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, exposure to wildfire smoke could cause an uptick in heart attacks and strokes, Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek. Why It Matters Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has degraded air quality in the Upper Midwest for the past week. In some instances, smoke has impacted sunsets as far south as the Gulf Coast, with people warned of physical impact as far south as the Plains states. As of Friday, air quality alerts advising people to move indoors if they begin to cough are in place for Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin. Other air quality alerts are in place in Nebraska, the Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast. A stock image shows a man coughing. A stock image shows a man coughing. Liubomyr Vorona/Getty What To Know Most air quality alerts warning of symptoms like coughing were set to expire by noon on Friday, although they could be reissued. The alert in Maine included the cities of Allagash, Clayton Lake, Lincoln, Howland and Springfield, among others. "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," an alert from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection said. "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." In Michigan, the alert was in place for cities such as Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ludington and others. "Smoke associated with Canada wildfires persists over the state today," the Michigan alert said. "Levels of PM2.5 into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range are expected and reading could reach the Unhealthy (Red AQI) range for a short period of time." In Wisconsin, the alert was in place for areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline. What People Are Saying NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Marc Chenard told Newsweek: "To some extent, there's going to be some smoke that's lingering in the Midwest, Great Lakes and into the Northeast through the weekend. "It generally looks like the concentration will be on a downward trend, so that might mean some of the air quality won't be quite as impacted but there will likely still be periods of smoke." An air quality alert in Wisconsin: "Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense. It is OK to be active outdoors but take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider." What Happens Next If someone's cough lasts for seven days or is associated with breathlessness, they should see a doctor. Most of the air quality alerts will expire on Friday.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Cities Most at Risk for Rise in Heart Attacks as Canadian Wildfires Burn
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. Some residents of several major cities in the Midwest could face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to descend into the United States this week. "Exposure to particulate matter air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs. This can manifest as worsening of respiratory symptoms, particularly in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek. "[E]ven more importantly, exposure to particulate matter air pollution acutely increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes," he added. Why It Matters The widespread drift of wildfire smoke from Canada into U.S. metropolitan areas carries significant public health implications. Medical research has documented an association between exposure to fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) and acute increases in heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Vulnerable groups, particularly people living with coronary artery disease, histories of heart attacks or strokes, and chronic respiratory illness, are at elevated risk. With urban centers housing millions, the threat is not only environmental but medical, affecting emergency room capacities and potentially increasing mortality rates. Previous wildfire smoke events, such as those seen in 2023, have already demonstrated the potential for widespread air quality degradation and related health emergencies across city populations. What To Know Smoke from Canadian wildfires has degraded air quality across the Upper Midwest for over a week. The smoke has even reached the U.S. Gulf Coast, where it had less of an impact on physical health. At least eight states were under air quality alerts on Thursday morning, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AirNow map showing the current Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" in areas such as Chicago, Illinois, and Lansing and Grand Rapids, Michigan. This AQI is unhealthy for everyone to breathe. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. A map from the U.S. EPA's AirNow shows cities with unhealthy air quality as of Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. AirNow The less severe but still impactful Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI was much more widespread, stretching across parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and into the Northeast, including Maine and New York. Wildfire smoke contains high concentrations of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Exposure is linked to worsening symptoms in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but acute cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, may be even more pronounced. City populations face greater danger when air pollution is trapped near the surface during stagnant weather conditions. In some instances, people were asked to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughing during the poor air quality event. If coughs persist for more than seven days or are accompanied by shortness of breath, people should visit their doctor or seek more urgent care if necessary. People are urged to remain indoors and keep their windows closed to prevent exposure. What People Are Saying Dr. Scott Budinger, the chief of pulmonary and critical care in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University, told Newsweek: "People who have known blockages in their arteries or a history of heart attacks or strokes and people with chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD should avoid exposure. They should also be vigilant about taking all of the prescribed medications for their disease." Budinger added: "You can reduce the risk of exposure by staying indoors with the windows closed. Indoor levels of particulate matter air pollution are typically much lower than those outside in a heated or air conditioned home or business—as much as 10 times less. For example, it might be better to take a walk in a health club or mall rather than outside if the particulate levels are high." 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. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices." What Happens Next Air quality alerts remained in effect in many cities in the Upper Midwest through the end of the week, with meteorologists forecasting that wildfire smoke could persist for several more days. Public health officials continue to advise at-risk populations in major cities to closely monitor advisories, limit outdoor activities during high-pollution periods, and use indoor air filtration.
