Alert Urging People To Monitor Themselves for Coughs Returns in One State

Newsweek

2 days ago

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A statewide Air Quality Alert was issued for Michigan through Monday cautioning residents across the state about elevated levels of fine particulate matter caused by continuing wildfire smoke from Canada.
The alert impacts regions ranging from the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula to the southernmost counties, including major cities such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City.
Residents were advised to monitor for key symptoms including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness, and burning sensations in the nose, throat, and eyes as smoke continued to spread across the state.
Why It Matters
The alert, issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, signaled a renewed public health concern for millions of Michiganders as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, depicted by an orange color, and unhealthy, depicted by red, in many northern and central areas.
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, posing heightened risks to vulnerable populations—including children, seniors, and individuals with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions. According to state health officials, widespread exposure to PM2.5 can exacerbate existing diseases and bring about acute respiratory symptoms, even in healthy individuals.
A jogger runs along the shoreline of Lake Michigan with heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires in the background, on June 27, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.
A jogger runs along the shoreline of Lake Michigan with heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires in the background, on June 27, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/Getty
What to Know
Both EGLE and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reported that increased fine particulate levels from persistent Canadian wildfire smoke were observed Sunday morning in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. Forecasts indicated continued movement of smoke east and south through the state as the day progressed, with additional plumes expected throughout Monday.
Northern regions faced periods of unhealthy AQI readings, while central counties saw levels fluctuating for sensitive groups. Southern locations were advised that air quality could range from unhealthy to moderate for sensitive groups.
State agencies recommended that all residents, particularly those with preexisting heart or respiratory disease such as asthma, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the alert. Officials outlined several symptoms for residents and their families to monitor, including:
Coughing
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Dizziness
Burning in the nose, throat, or eyes
A 2023 study from University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences alumna found that there was an increased risk of emergency room visits with respiratory symptoms five days after a wildfire smoke event. Wildfire smoke events also increased the number of emergency room visits with cardiovascular symptoms.
Air quality alerts urging people across Michigan to monitor themselves for symptoms such as coughs have been issued throughout the summer. When reached for comment, a spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services told Newsweek the department did not yet have data about smoke-related hospital visits but will have more information later in the week.
The public was further advised to reduce activities that could worsen air pollution, such as outdoor burning and use of wood-burning devices.
Residents were directed to keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke infiltration and, if available, to run central air conditioning systems equipped with MERV-13 or higher-rated filters.
Air quality alerts also were issued in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New York.
What People Are Saying
The University of Washington study's lead author Annie Doubleday said in a report about the study: "For me the takeaway is we're all at risk of health impacts. Obviously some more than others, such as those with preexisting respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, but we all should be taking steps to reduce exposure and watching for any symptoms."
Air quality alert issued in Michigan: "It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes."
What Happens Next
The statewide Air Quality Alert will remain in effect through the end of Monday, with officials set to reassess and update advisories as atmospheric and pollution conditions evolve. Residents were strongly encouraged to monitor local air quality forecasts, take recommended health precautions, and seek up-to-date information through official state and federal online resources. Similar alerts may be reissued if wildfire smoke continues to impact Michigan or neighboring states in the coming days.