Canadian wildfire smoke puts millions at risk
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Dense smoke from Canadian wildfires has spread across large parts of the Northeast and Upper Midwest, pushing air quality to unhealthy or dangerous levels for millions of people. Fine particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, headaches, and chest discomfort. People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, older adults, children, and pregnant individuals may face greater risks. Officials have advised residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed, use air filters when available, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity until conditions improve.
Source
Wilgus ML, Merchant M. Clearing the Air: Understanding the Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Asthma and COPD. Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jan 25;12(3):307. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12030307. PMID: 38338192; PMCID: PMC10855577.
Additional Reading
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/07/16/weather/canada-wildfire-smoke-air-quality
https://www.newsweek.com/millions-stay-inside-11-states-air-quality-11966141