Smoke from Canadian wildfires is impacting multiple U.S. states, even as far south as Florida.
As over 203 active fires rage in Canada as of June 4, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, wind carrying smoke from the fires have engulfed states in the eastern and central U.S.
Many states are reporting moderate air quality levels, but conditions are worse in areas closer to the U.S.-Canadian border.
Multiple states in the mid-to-upper Midwest have been flagged as unhealthy for sensitive groups and unhealthy for the overall population, regardless of health conditions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow tracker. Areas of Wisconsin and northern Michigan are reporting “unhealthy” air quality levels.
To check your state’s air quality, visit AirNow’s website, and plug in your zip code, city or state.
Here’s what to know as of Wednesday, June 4.
Which states have poor air quality?
Parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have air quality that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups or unhealthy for all, according to AirNow.
“Children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid outdoor exertion,” according to the American Lung Association. “Everyone else should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.”
Areas in the following states have air that is considered “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” which includes people with health conditions like asthma:
Here, “children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion,” according to the American Lung Association.
Which states may see smoke from Canadian wildfires?
See Canadian wildfire map
Side effects of inhaling wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke can irritate one’s eyes, nose, and throat and cause:
Particulate matter, a type of air pollutant that is made of small particles of solids or liquids that are suspended in the air, is one of the main components of wildfire smoke, as USA TODAY previously reported.
According to Yale Medicine, the particles can be 10 micrometers, PM 10, or as small as 2.5 micrometers, PM 2.5, and the smaller one poses a lot of health risks.
PM2.5 is so tiny it can easily pass people’s usual defense mechanisms and dive deep into their lungs. Not only can it damage lung function, but it can also pass into the bloodstream and travel to other organs.
The following is linked to exposure to the PM 2.5:
Decline in cognitive function
Contributing: Janet Loehrke, Ramon Padilla, Karina Zaiets, Yoonserk Pyun; USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadian wildfires affect air quality in US: See map
