Michiganders Urged to Protect Their Health as Smoke-Filled Air Become Hazardous

Michael Walker
Jul 16
2 min read

Michiganders woke up to a statewide air quality alert that began the evening of July 15th, as smoke continues to move in from Canadian wildfires. Officials say elevated levels of fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, may make conditions unhealthy for many residents over the next several days.

Wildfire smoke contains extremely small particles, including PM2.5, which are roughly 30 times thinner than a human hair. Because these particles are so tiny, they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may linger there. That can lead to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, and irritation or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.

In more serious cases, wildfire smoke can provoke asthma flare-ups and worsen existing heart conditions. It may also contribute to increased emergency room visits and, in some instances, premature death.

Certain groups are at higher risk, including people 60 and older, children and teens, pregnant women, and those with heart or lung disease (or other underlying health conditions). Outdoor workers are also more likely to be exposed.

Even so, it’s important for everyone to take wildfire smoke seriously. If you exercise outside, such as running or biking, or work outdoors, your breathing rate increases, which can mean you inhale more of the harmful particles. Spending extended time outdoors can further raise exposure.

How to protect yourself when air quality is unhealthy

Monitor air quality throughout the day, since conditions can change quickly.
Stay indoors when air turns unhealthy. Keep windows and doors closed and, if possible, use your air conditioner on recirculate.
Use air filtration. An air purifier and MERV-13 (or higher) filters in your HVAC system can help remove fine particles from indoor air.
Avoid adding indoor pollution. Skip activities like burning candles, smoking, vacuuming, or frying food during smoky periods.
If you must go outside: limit your time outdoors, take it easy, and consider wearing an N95 mask.
For people with asthma, lung disease, or heart disease, follow your doctor’s recommendations for medications and your treatment plan. If symptoms worsen, such as increasing shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, or severe reactions, seek medical care promptly.