NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is pouring into parts of the US, prompting doctors to warn that even healthy people may face risks from long-term exposure to polluted air.
More than 180 wildfires are burning in Ontario alone, while nearly 850 are active across Canada, sending smoke into the Midwest and Northeast, according to NASA.
More than 20 states were affected, prompting widespread air quality warnings from the Upper Midwest to the East Coast.
DOCTORS WARN YOUR ‘STOMACH HOLDER’ CAN REALLY BE A HEALTHY HARD TO FIND.
The biggest concern comes from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream.
Smoke from a large wildfire in Canada blanketed the New York City skyline, reducing visibility and producing an orange haze on July 16. (Getty Images)
“The biggest concern is fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5,” Dr. Fernando Safdie, director of endoluminal and airway surgery and lung cancer specialist in Miami Beach, Florida, told Fox News Digital. “These particles are small enough to go deep into the lungs, and very small can pass into the bloodstream.”
“Smoke also carries irritating gases,” he added. “That combination is what creates the symptoms.”
IS LETTUCE STILL SAFE TO EAT AMID TACO BELL ILLNESS TEST? THE DOCTORS ANSWERED
The EPA considers an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 100 to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, while levels above 150 are unhealthy for everyone.
Health hazards related to smoke
The most common side effect of fire smoke is irritation to the respiratory system.
“Most people experience hot or watery eyes, a scratchy throat, a runny nose or a cough,” said Safdie.
“It can progress to chest tightness, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue and rapid heartbeat.”
Smoke from wildfires pours eastward over Canada and the US in this image taken on the afternoon of July 14, 2026, by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) of the NOAA-21 satellite. (NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin)
For anyone with asthma, COPD or chronic bronchitis, smoke can cause flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms, the doctor warns.
Wildfire smoke can affect the cardiovascular system, according to the American Heart Association. It has been linked to increased emergency room visits for ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, pulmonary embolism and stroke.
THINK YOUR CORTISOL IS TOO HIGH? AN EXPERT REVEALS THE TRUTH BEHIND THE VIRAL WELLNESS CRY
Short-term exposure to the fine particulate matter associated with wildfires can also worsen heart failure and contribute to premature death, the EPA notes.
Studies have linked long-term exposure to an increased risk of premature death, chronic heart disease and lung disease, lung cancer, cognitive decline and dementia, and pregnancy complications such as premature birth and low birth weight, according to the EPA and recent studies.
Who is most at risk?
Children are at greater risk because their lungs are still developing and they breathe a lot of air for their body size, according to Safdie.
People walk through downtown Toronto, as smoke from forest fires in Northern Ontario creates bad air in the city on July 15. (Getty Images)
Older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, COPD or heart disease, are also at greater risk. Other high-risk groups include those with compromised immune systems and impaired kidney function, the doctor said.
“Foreign workers are exposed simply because of where they spend the day,” Safdie said.
Protection against smoke hazards
The doctor emphasized that the dangers of outdoor air quality may not always be apparent.
“If you can’t see the fire, you can still be exposed to the smoke and breathe that highly polluted air,” he told Fox News Digital.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The CDC and EPA share the following precautions to prevent smoke-related health risks.
Monitor air quality. Check the air quality at AirNow.gov before spending time outside. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity when the AQI exceeds 100, and everyone should reduce exposure to levels of 150 and above.
“Don’t tighten it if breathing is really difficult.”
Stay indoors where smoke levels are high. Keep windows and doors closed. If you use air conditioning or central HVAC, set the system to recirculate to reduce the amount of smoky outdoor air entering the home.
Clean the indoor air. Run a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter or use a high efficiency filter. Experts also recommend avoiding activities that worsen indoor air pollution, such as burning candles, smoking, frying food or cleaning while smoke levels are high.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH PAPER
Wear an N95 respirator if necessary. If you have to spend time outdoors where smoke levels are high, a properly fitted N95 respirator can filter out harmful fine particles.
Reduce hard outdoor work. Intense physical activity causes people to breathe faster and deeper, which increases the number of small particles that reach the lungs. Consider moving exercise indoors until air quality improves, experts advise.
It’s time to seek help
“Don’t force it if breathing is really difficult,” advises Safdie. “Get medical help if you have shortness of breath, a persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness or palpitations.”
The most common side effect of fire smoke is irritation to the respiratory system. (Stock)
Those with asthma or COPD should follow their doctor’s prescribed exercise plan.
“Don’t wait if your rescue inhaler isn’t doing the job,” says Safdie. “Call 911 for shortness of breath, chest pain or confusion. If in doubt, get evaluated.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLES
While short-term exposure won’t cause long-term damage, “acute” exposure can cause permanent problems, he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“For example, firefighters who are dealing with this problem must definitely be protected very well with the right equipment, because the concentration of smoke and PM25 particles will be very high and can cause chronic problems,” said Safdie.
“But for most people, it’s unlikely that they’ll find themselves exposed in this way. I think it could be a big problem.”
