With wildfires raging across Canada, the Upper Peninsula has been experiencing unhealthy air quality levels in recent days.

Especially in sensitive groups, such as those suffering from heart and lung diseases, older adults, pregnant women and children, it’s important to reduce exposure. Our pulmonologists have a few recommendations for staying safe from air pollutants when they reach unhealthy levels.

To start, monitor the air quality index (airnow.gov or many popular weather apps) and adjust your daily activities accordingly.

• Stay indoors as much as possible
• Avoid long or intense outdoor exertion
• Use air purifiers and air conditioning
• Limit indoor activities that further lower air quality, like vacuuming and stovetop cooking
• Wear a high-quality N95 or KN95 mask when outdoors
• Seek medical attention if you are coughing heavily or wheezing, have trouble breathing, chest tightness or pain, headaches or dizziness

“Breathing in wildfire smoke or other harmful air pollutants can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory systems of otherwise healthy individuals, and can also aggravate existing heart and lung conditions," said Marykay Lehman, MD, UP Health System - Marquette Pulmonology/Respiratory Medicine. "To reduce the potential impacts, it's important to take proactive steps to avoid prolonged exposure to unhealthy air." 

If you begin to experience significant respiratory difficulties, be sure to seek medical attention right away. Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.