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U.S. health officials have extended air-quality alerts in locales across the Midwest this week related to smoke from ongoing wildfires originating in Canada. Extraordinarily high air quality index (AQI) readings were recorded in several areas in recent days, although the danger has started to ease thanks to rain and shifting wind. Covenant HealthCare MedExpress in Michigan closed its doors for several hours last week after wildfire smoke compromised air quality inside the building, according to local news reports. For urgent care clinicians, the most likely smoke-associated presentations to prepare for are asthma exacerbations, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, cough, wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, throat irritation, eye irritation, and headache. At an AQI of 101–150, people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, older adults, children, and pregnant people should limit outdoor activity. Levels above 150 are considered unhealthy for everyone, and levels above 300 are considered hazardous. Detroit, Michigan, reported an AQI of 600 on July 16.
How to find air quality data for your city: The Environmental Protection Agency has an online search tool that allows visitors to find air quality data by city and state plus a forecast for the next day’s expected air quality. Previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance data shows asthma-related emergency department visits were 17% higher than expected for several months in 2023 during an outbreak of Canadian wildfires. Urgent care centers should be prepared for ongoing visits related to poor air quality as Canada has more than 900 active wildfires as of this week, with about 100 considered out of control.
Read More
- California Wildfires Present Health Concerns For Thousands of People
- Are You Doing Enough to Prevent (and Prepare Your Team to Respond to) Fires on Site?