Millions told to monitor wheezing, dizziness, chest tightness

Air quality alerts were in effect for states as of early Monday, with the National Weather Service, in collaboration with local agencies cautioning residents of potentially unhealthy levels of air pollution.

Why It Matters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that exposure to ozone may irritate the respiratory tract, cause airway inflammation, and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

According to the EPA, studies have linked particle pollution exposure to various health effects, including respiratory symptoms—such as coughing and wheezing, the development of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

What To Know

In Michigan, air quality alerts were in place for the state’s Upper Peninsula.

The alerts, in effect through noon Tuesday, warned of elevated levels of fine particles (PM2.5) due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.

“Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes,” the alert said. “Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.”

In Minnesota, alerts spanned the entirety of the state.

“Heavy surface smoke from many wildfires across central Saskatchewan and Manitoba will wrap around the backside of an area of low pressure system this weekend, as the low moves east across south central Canada,” the alert explained.

“Poor air quality will most likely impact western Minnesota beginning Sunday morning, and then expand further east through the evening. Heavy smoke should then disperse from west to east across the state from Monday into Tuesday morning.”

At the time of publication, the alerts for Minnesota were in force until 9 a.m. CDT on Tuesday.

In Colorado, air quality alerts were in effect due to both ozone and wildfire smoke.

An ozone action day alert was in effect until 4 p.m. local time on Monday for the Front Range Urban Corridor. Officials said hot and sunny weather would allow the pollutant to reach levels potentially unhealthy for those in sensitive groups—which includes children, older adults, and those with lung conditions.

Elsewhere in the state, wildfires promoted air quality health advisories. Large wildfires in Rio Blanco were impacting a broad area of central Colorado, officials said, while the Stoner Mesa fire in eastern Dolores County was expected to “create areas of moderate to heavy smoke” into Monday.

Meanwhile, in New York, an air quality health advisory—in effect until 11 p.m. EDT Monday—had been issued for the following counties due to ozone:

• New York
• Bronx
• Kings
• Queens
• Richmond
• Nassau
• Suffolk
• Westchester
• Rockland
• Orange
• Putnam
• Sullivan
• Ulster
• Dutchess

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek previously: “Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it’s not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don’t get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.”

What Happens Next

The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website.