Whether you are a patient living with lung disease or a caregiver, join the Patient & Caregiver Network for timely education, support and connection. It may come as a surprise, but the federal holiday stands out as the most polluted day of the year in many locations across the nation, according to air quality data. Winds are expected to shift east pushing wildfire smoke into the interior Northeast and Ohio Valley on Friday. Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering cities in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks. PAHs, as well as fine particulate pollution, are also concentrated in wildfire smoke. It caused a lot of discussion, Webster said. Create one. Latest Canadian wildfire smoke maps show where air quality is Please wait for the page to reload. Downtown Lewiston, Maine, is seen Friday, March 17, 2017. Wildfires are bad for air quality. Smoke pollution contains fine particulate matter, referred to as PM2.5, which is considered especially harmful because it can be inhaled through your lungs and enter the bloodstream. Climate Driven: A deep dive into Maine's response, one county at a time, Maine Public on Your Voice Activated Device, Infrastructure work across Maine Publics footprint, WATCH: Video On-Demand TV Programs (including Maine PBS PASSPORT), WATCH: Maine Public Television Live Stream, Maine High School Basketball Championship Weekend, Watch Maine Public Television and Additional Channels with an Antenna, Listen to Maine Public Classical on Voice-Activated Devices, Teaching Resources for The Holocaust and Stories That Matter, Community Calendar - Virtual & Live Events in Maine, Facts About Maine Public's Federal Funding. [emailprotected]. By Delger Erdenesanaa. Fenderson said that regulations on the national level are necessary in keeping Mainers healthy. Particulate pollution consists of extremely small particles that contain toxic chemicals, and these particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream, causing repertory and cardiovascular problems.. She said the Canadian wildfires will likely burn for at least a few more days and in that time a low pressure system that has protected Maine from the smoke could dissipate. We all have the right to breathe clean, healthy air. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. "If visibility is reduced, if you smell smoke, that is when you should take precautions.". Member Benefits: Maine PBS Passport, MemberCard & More! But, the states leading source of air pollution is because of everyday activities. On June 8, wildfire smoke from western Canada floated to the eastern United States and set records for the worst air quality on record some of the highest recorded values were around 250 micrograms per cubic meter. Here's how bad the air quality is in the Greater Columbus area Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Several fires have been burning for more than two days in Nova Scotia and the smoke moved into the Gulf of Maine, where winds began carrying smoke into Maine the afternoon and evening of May 30, the DEP said. Fenderson said different types of pollution affect people in different ways. according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. The number of cumulative days with compromised air quality matters. You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association. Between June 6 and 9, unprecedented smoke pollution smothered the Northeast. The site contains information such as a hotline 800-223-1196 that provides up-to-date air quality information, a frequently-asked-questions link, updated reports on ozone and particulate pollution, and a color-coded health effects legend that describes air quality warnings in detail. Already have a commenting profile? The latest check of the air quality on Saturday is all clear, but that will change on Sunday thanks to a cold front bringing Canadian wildfire smoke south into Maine. Androscoggin County scored a top grade for ozone pollution. While some states on the East Coast have issued air quality advisories because of the particulate levels, the effects here are not as great. Cause #1: Everyday activities Oregon has some pollutants more unique to the Pacific Northwest, like wildfires and dust storms. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. Success. Our Tax ID is: 131632524. 2023 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529, Climate Driven: A deep dive into Maine's response, one county at a time, Maine Public on Your Voice Activated Device, Infrastructure work across Maine Publics footprint, WATCH: Video On-Demand TV Programs (including Maine PBS PASSPORT), WATCH: Maine Public Television Live Stream, Maine High School Basketball Championship Weekend, Watch Maine Public Television and Additional Channels with an Antenna, Listen to Maine Public Classical on Voice-Activated Devices, Teaching Resources for The Holocaust and Stories That Matter, Community Calendar - Virtual & Live Events in Maine, Facts About Maine Public's Federal Funding. WebProtect yourself from air pollution with hourly-updated and street-level air quality information at your location. Meteorologist Derek Schroeter says the smoke travels on the jet stream around the Great Lakes. Air quality in the rest of the state is expected to be in the good range, according to the bureau. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, If content on this page is inaccessible, and you need the information in a different format, visit the. Create one. And Maine residents are seeing these benefits and breathing less unhealthy air compared to last years report, thanks to fewer emissions from coal-fired power plants and clean vehicle fuel standards, said Lance Boucher, Senior Division Director of State Public Policy for the American Lung Association in Maine. Air quality in some parts of Maine to decline Friday as Mars Hill, ME Air Quality Index | AccuWeather Stauffer emphasized that these pollution levels remained heightened for 24 to 36 hours. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. The Environmental Protection Agency's Fire and In 2017, they issued six. Research by Wu and her team also suggests that the differing policies mean fireworks pollution doesnt affect communities equally. Air quality is about to go downhill fast for most of Maine, except for the immediate coastline, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. Fenderson said the main culprit for this contamination is exhaust from fumes. NASA Worldview, (EOSDIS) via AP. Maine air quality to remain good Thursday with low Login. On Saturday, the air quality in the United States was better, with Washington, D.C., the highest-ranked American city on the index, coming in fourth on IQAir's global In some cases, the pollution levels from the pyrotechnics are similar to severe wildfire smoke. Particle pollution comes from coal-fired power plants, diesel emissions, wildfires and wood-burning devices. Bad-air days have been even more frequent in Canada. June closed with fires raging in Quebec and Ontario. Several fires have been burning for more than two days in Nova Scotia and the smoke moved into the Gulf of Maine, where winds began carrying smoke into Maine the afternoon and evening of May 30, the DEP said. Twelve more states observed Code Red conditions, the next-most-polluted level. The National Weather Service in Maine says smoke from wildfires in Oregon, British Columbia, and Alberta is making its But meteorologists will continue to watch for recirculating smoke as well as direct smoke from the 72 fires burning in Quebec, the bureau said in a special status update Thursday afternoon. Like the weather, it can change from day to day or even hour to hour. Maine avoids harmful air quality from Canadian wildfires This will not be the same thing as the high-level smoke we have seen lately in the County. Want updates on the latest lung health news, including COVID-19, research, inspiring stories and health information? Air Quality In Maine She said the Canadian wildfires will likely burn for at least a few more days and in that time a low pressure system that has protected Maine from the smoke could dissipate. We must do more to protect our lungs from anything that puts our ability to breathe at risk,be it a virus, tobacco smoke, or air pollution. In the east, Val dOr, a city of about 20,000 nearer the fires in Quebec, has witnessed 11 Code Red days. As of Tuesday evening, three of the four Indiana Department of Environmental Management testing sites in Marion County were Notably, those three years were among the five hottest recorded in global history. In a telephone interview Wednesday, Webster said she expects air quality to remain good throughout Maine on Thursday, but she was reluctant to look too far into the future. July 5, 2023 at 3:26 p.m. EDT. Webster encouraged Mainers to pay close attention to the DEPs Air Quality Forecast site. The report shows that nationally people of color were 61% more likely to live in a county with unhealthy air, and three times more likely to live in a county that failed all Here are some things you can do to curb those effects. The smoke is expected to move into the Gulf of Maine and continue northward Friday, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Another quick burst of smoke, primarily from fires in western Canada, moved into the Upper Midwest on June 14 and 15. On Thursday afternoon, the weather service predicted that Maine will see low levels of particle pollution from smoke moving from south to north on Friday. Significantly more people suffered unhealthy ozone pollution in the 2020 report than in the last three State of the Air reports. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has been closely monitoring air quality in the Northeast and will continue to post daily updateson its website. Multiple outbreaks affected multiple regions, Local news, weather, sports, events, restaurants and more, Bad news about this years smoky air, in four maps and charts. NBC News reported on its Wednesday evening newscast that the skies over New York looked eerie and apocalyptic. NBC said that New York City on Wednesday had the worst air quality in the world. July 5, 2023 at 3:26 p.m. EDT. Fireworks can make the smoke worse. N.Y., saw six days with Code Red or worse air quality. July 4, 2023 The American practice of setting off fireworks on July 4 stretches back to the first Independence Day celebration in Philadelphia in 1777. Published July 21, 2021 at 8:10 AM EDT. Smoke from wildfires in Nova Scotia drifted into Maine last week, prompting state officials to issue a health warning about poor air quality May 30-31. Staff Writer Hannah LaClaire contributed to this report. Stay ahead of whatever weather is heading your way and get alerted with our new Spectrum News app. The site contains information such as a hotline 800-223-1196 that provides up-to-date air quality information, a frequently-asked-questions link, updated reports on ozone and particulate pollution, and a color-coded health effects legend that describes air quality warnings in detail. In Canada, six provinces observed Code Purple conditions, with five topping out at Code Maroon the most polluted level. WebHealth & Activities Current Air Quality Today 6/7 16 AQI Excellent The air quality is ideal for most individuals; enjoy your normal outdoor activities. Swirling soot from Canadian blazes is likely to compound the usual pyrotechnics pollution on July While the report examined data from 2016-2018, this 21st annual report also provides air pollution trends back to the first report. She joined Maine Public in 2018. Web15 AQI Excellent The air quality is ideal for most individuals; enjoy your normal outdoor activities. Sign up and we'll help you stay connected to Vacationland by sending our twice-a-month newsletter to your inbox. It can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes and cause lung cancer, Pennoyer. The air quality was so bad that Major League Baseball games in New York and Philadelphia had to be postponed. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. Join over 700,000 people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID-19, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources. First things first, make sure youre checking that AQI. Webster said there is deep concern about air quality in places like New York City. Smog, or ground level ozone, produces inflammation similar to a sunburn in the lungs, causes respiratory problems from coughing and throat irritation to asthma and permanent damage to lung tissue, said Fenderson. When levels reach above 100, air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and MORPC issues an air quality alert. Wildfires are bad for air quality. Webster is in charge of updating air quality forecasts on a daily basis throughout the year so that the general public and people with respiratory conditions have accurate, up to date information. "They were all saying how bad the smoke was. ET. The American Lung Associations 2020 State of the Air report found that while air quality in Maine slightly improved across the state and in most reporting counties, there remains a an important contrast between the Bangor metro area, which continues to rank as one of the cleanest cities in the nation in all three categories within the report, and the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland metro area, which ranks in the top 100 most polluted cities for ozone. The air quality was so bad that Major League Baseball games in New York and Philadelphia had to be postponed. Wildfire smoke to worsen air quality in Maine this week Why is air quality bad in Ohio today? Canadian wildfires to blame That would be ideal., Fresh takes on what we eat and why it matters (plus recipes). Bad Enter your email and password to access comments. the latest State of the Air report from the American Lung Association. State of the Air 2020 also tracked short-term spikes in particle pollution, which can be extremely dangerous and even lethal. Example video title will go here for this video. Chan School of Public Health. WebGreen indicates values in the "good" range; yellow in the "moderate" range; orange in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range; red in the "unhealthy" range, and purple in the "very Research shows a roughly 42 percent increase in fine particulate pollutants known as PM 2.5, which are small enough to travel into our lungs and cause respiratory issues following July 4 firework displays. It can increase asthma attacks, it can lead to premature deaths, said Leavitt. Winds are expected to shift east pushing wildfire smoke into the interior Northeast and Ohio Valley on Friday. We are keeping an eye on the situation so please check back in the coming days, Martha Webster, air quality meteorologist for the DEP, wrote in her daily report Wednesday morning. Chicago and Midwest Air Quality Declines as Canada Wildfire The report found that Maines A grades were consistent with last years report, with the exception of Aroostook, which saw its grade drop from a B to a C, due to an increase of days where short-term particle pollution reached unhealthy levels. Massive streams of unhealthy air extended as far as Virginia and Indiana, affecting millions of people in cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Buffalo. In a study published this year focused on three counties in Southern California, they found that communities with higher proportions of Hispanic residents were exposed to greater particulate pollution than other communities. Copyright . So far, Maine has avoided the serious air quality issues that have plagued other states, but Webster said that Sunday she did issue an orange health notice warning that the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups.. Talk to our experts at the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine and Tobacco QuitLine. Caitlin worked as a writer and editor for various publications before discovering her love for public media at KCUR in Kansas City. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has been closely monitoring air quality in the Northeast and will continue to post daily updates on its website. Monday's forecast is expected to improve with moderate particle pollution throughout the state due to the fact that smoke can take some time to clear out. Webster explained that the low pressure system over Maine has been moving in a backward direction to the west pushing wildfire smoke away from the state. You might not smell it, you might not see it, but it can still affect you, said Nadeau, chair of the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. The Bureau of Air Quality says the smoke will mostly be contained to the western part of the state. Check out the real-time air pollution map, for more than 100 countries. It was the years most significant smoke event for much of Minnesota. We're really urging our elected officials to support the clean car standards as they are today because air quality is very much a bipartisan issue.. 'It was hard to leave': Maine firefighters recall battling Lac Megantic blaze 10 years later, Portland officials, advocates work to find solutions for asylum seekers, Planet records unofficial new hottest day on record, climate scientists say, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, York man accused of threatening people with knife on walking path. Air quality has reached record-low levels in the U.S. because of Canadian wildfire smoke. All rights reserved. Syracuse, N.Y., had never experienced Code Red levels before June 7, when it soared past Code Red range into Code Purple with an AQI of 233. The only county found to have declined in Maine is Washington, which went from a B grade on ozone to a C grade. Analysis by Ian Livingston. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Sign up and we'll help you stay connected to Vacationland by sending our twice-a-month newsletter to your inbox. According to the bureau, sensitive people should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Additionally, 150,000 people in Bangor had 46 days with degraded air quality, and 107,000 people in Lewiston had 24 days. If visibility is reduced, if you smell smoke, that is when you should take precautions..
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