Latest news with #respiratoryHealth
National Post
6 hours ago
- Health
- National Post
Canadian wildfire smoke causes 'very unhealthy' conditions in American Midwest and reaches Europe
Article content Hennepin Healthcare, the main emergency hospital in Minneapolis, has seen a slight increase in visits by patients with respiratory symptoms aggravated by the dirty air. Article content Dr. Rachel Strykowski, a pulmonologist, said there is usually a bit of a delay before patients come in, which is unfortunate because the sooner those patients contact their doctors, the better the outcome. Typical symptoms, she said, include 'increase in shortness of breath, wheezing, maybe coughing a bit more, and flares of their underlying disease, and that's usually COPD and asthma.' Article content What happens, Strykowski said, is that the fine particulate matter from the wildfire smoke triggers more inflammation in patients' airways, aggravating their underlying medical conditions. Article content Strykowski noted that this is usually a time those patients can go outside and enjoy the summer weather because there are fewer triggers, so the current ones forcing them to stay inside can feel 'quite isolating.' Article content People can protect themselves by staying indoors or by wearing N95 masks, she said. Strykowski added that they must be N95s because the cloth masks many people used during the COVID-19 pandemic don't provide enough filtration. Article content Canada is having another bad wildfire season, and more than 27,000 people in three provinces have been forced to evacuate. Most of the smoke reaching the American Midwest has been coming from fires northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg in Manitoba. Article content Winnipeg hotels opened Monday to evacuees. More than 17,000 Manitoba residents have been displaced since last week, including 5,000 residents of the community of Flin Flon, nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) northwest of Winnipeg. In neighboring Saskatchewan, 2,500 residents of the town of La Ronge were ordered to flee Monday, on top of more than 8,000 in the province who had been evacuated earlier. Article content Article content In Saskatoon, where the premiers of Canada's provinces and the country's prime minister met Monday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said all of Canada has come together to help the Prairie provinces. Article content Article content Two people were killed by a wildfire in mid-May in Lac du Bonnet, northeast of Winnipeg. Article content Canada's worst-ever wildfire season was in 2023. It choked much of North America with dangerous smoke for months. Article content The smoke reaches Europe Article content Canada's wildfires are so large and intense that the smoke is even reaching Europe, where it is causing hazy skies but isn't expected to affect surface-air quality, according the European climate service Copernicus. Article content The first high-altitude plume reached Greece and the eastern Mediterranean just over two weeks ago, with a much larger plume crossing the Atlantic within the past week and more expected in coming days, according to Copernicus. Article content 'That's really an indicator of how intense these fires are, that they can deliver smoke,' high enough that they can be carried so far on jet streams, said Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the service. Article content The fires also are putting out significant levels of carbon pollution — an estimated 56 megatonnes through Monday, second only to 2023, according to Copernicus. Article content
Forbes
4 days ago
- General
- Forbes
Is The Air In Your Home Making You Sick?
The Link Between Your Home and Your Respiratory Health Millions of Americans struggle with allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues. What many do not realize is that the air inside their homes could be contributing to these problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we spend about 90% of our time indoors, and the air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. While indoor air quality (IAQ) affects everyone, it is especially harmful for children, older adults and anyone with pre-existing health conditions. With energy costs rising and homes becoming more airtight to conserve energy, now is a great time to take a closer look at your indoor air quality. Your home may contain many everyday products and systems that quietly pollute the air you breathe. Here are the most common sources: Today's homes are built to be energy-efficient, which often means they are sealed tighter to prevent air leaks. While this helps reduce energy bills, it can also trap pollutants inside your home. Older homes had natural air leakage that allowed indoor pollutants to escape and be replaced by fresh outdoor air. In newer or well-sealed homes, if there is no proper ventilation system, these pollutants can build up, potentially worsening indoor air quality. Improving your home's air does not have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical steps you can take: For a more thorough approach, consider working with a building science professional who can test your indoor air and recommend solutions. They can measure pollutant levels, install proper ventilation systems, and help you keep your air clean over time. Your home should be your safe space, not a hidden source of health problems. By paying attention to indoor air quality and making a few smart changes, you can create a healthier environment for yourself and your loved ones.
