Multiple states have issued air quality alerts this past week due to the smoke spreading from Canadian wildfires. As many as 18 states have been affected, spanning areas from Michigan to South Carolina and all along the East Coast. Children are at a very high risk of illness because of poor air quality, in part because they spend more time outdoors than adults do, especially during the summer with school being out. Officials and medical health professionals are warning that long-term exposure can weaken the immune system, Good Morning America reported.
The City of Chicago issued a statement recommending that seniors, teens, children, pregnant individuals, and those with heart and lung disease limit time outdoors as of June 28, per ABC 7.
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Multiple states have issued air quality alerts and warnings, especially on the East Coast.
A series of wildfires that started in Canada have been causing poor air quality across the US. Canada reportedly has 895 million acres of forest that account for one-third of the total land area, so wildfires are not uncommon, but the current wildfires have been called “unprecedented” by Canadian officials, according to the Washington Post.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center reported 437 active fires across Canada earlier this month, with 248 of them out of control, the newspaper reported. Authorities from Washington, DC, New York, and as far west as Minnesota have warned people to stay indoors to avoid the toxic particles in the air since the wildfire smoke started reaching into the US, the news outlet reported.
A board-certified pediatrician is recommending masks, specifically KN95s, for children 2 and older to protect from exposure to the wildfire smoke and particles. "It's these KN95s that are really going to filter out some of those smoke particles," Dr. Edith Bracho Sanchez explained via Good Morning America. "You want to make sure, again, as we are used to now because of the pandemic, that they fit properly and that kids that are above the age of 2 are the ones who are wearing them — below that it's a little dangerous for children.”
Officials warn children are at high risk, especially as they spend more time outdoors during the summer.
Medical health experts are warning of the risks of long-term damage if someone is continually exposed to the wildfire smoke. As Bracho-Sanchez noted, "If we keep being exposed to this type of smoke — a potential weakening of the immune system — we are talking about kids developing infections more frequently”.
Children are more vulnerable to harm caused by the wildfire smoke because they often spend more outdoors and because they are still developing. They also reportedly breathe more air per pound in body weight, Good Morning America reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that if children become very sleepy, refuse to eat or drink, or start to have trouble breathing, reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke and get them medical assistance right away.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement and warning to residents.
Chicago’s air quality index showed as the worst in the world on Tuesday, according to the global index, per ABC 7. AirNow.gov listed the air quality at 225 at 4:30 a.m. as of Wednesday, the news outlet reported.
All individuals — even healthy ones — are being told to limit time and exposure outdoors, per a statement released by the mayor.
"The City of Chicago is carefully monitoring and taking precautions as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has categorized our Air Quality Index as 'unhealthy' due to Canadian wildfire smoke present in the Chicago region. We recommend children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors,” Johnson noted in the statement, per ABC 7.
Doctors also are warning about harm being caused to the lungs and throat from the air pollution caused by the smoke.
"Your bronchioles, the tubes that lead down to your lungs are going to be more inflamed. And that's going to make them feel like they're closing off a bit,” said Dr. Jordan Moskoff, who works at Stroger Hospital, according to ABC 7.
Officials are recommending that everyone living in areas with air quality alerts take precautions, especially people with children.
The CDC advises against any activities that can make air pollution worse inside the home such as lighting candles, smoking, or frying food.
The agency also recommends that families use an air purifier indoors if possible and keep windows and doors closed. Individuals should also watch air quality alerts and avoid spending time outdoors, especially children.
