Millions Told to Monitor Themselves for Coughing, Dizziness

Newsweek

5 days ago

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Millions of people in Michigan were asked to monitor themselves for physical symptoms such as coughing and dizziness on Wednesday as an air quality alert was issued across the entire state.
Newsweek reached out to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
A significant air quality advisory covered all of Michigan, warning millions to monitor themselves for respiratory symptoms such as coughing and dizziness. Health officials highlighted the increased risk from rising levels of fine particulate pollution—largely due to wildfire smoke—especially for sensitive groups including children, older adults and individuals with heart or lung conditions. Elevated particulate matter in the atmosphere can worsen chronic illnesses and lead to acute health issues, underscoring the urgent need for precaution.
Similar alerts have been issued across the Upper Midwest and Northeast throughout the summer as smoke from Canadian wildfires descends into the U.S.
What to Know
EGLE issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory beginning Wednesday and extending through Thursday. It covers every Michigan county, affecting cities from Ludington and Grand Rapids to Lansing, Kalamazoo and Jackson.
A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outside.
A stock photo shows a woman coughing while outside.
Liubomyr Vorona/Getty
Officials reported that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels reached the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" threshold statewide, with select areas in northern Michigan experiencing even higher "Unhealthy" conditions. The source of the Air Quality Index (AQI) spike was smoke drifting south from Canadian wildfires, first affecting the Upper Peninsula before spreading through the northern Lower Peninsula and across Michigan by midweek. Forecast models indicated the haze would persist until at least Thursday, with the highest concentrations expected in northern counties.
EGLE recommended minimizing strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities, especially for individuals with preexisting health conditions such as heart disease, asthma or other respiratory illnesses. Residents were advised to monitor for symptoms of smoke exposure, which include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or sensations of burning in the nose, throat and eyes.
Additional steps for reducing risk included:
Keeping windows closed overnight to block smoke from entering homes.
Running central air conditioning equipped with MERV-13 or higher filters, if available.
Reducing or avoiding activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning or utilizing residential wood-burning devices.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), certain populations—including children, older adults, pregnant individuals and those with chronic heart or lung diseases—face greater risks from wildfire smoke exposure. Social and economic factors, as well as frequent outdoor activities or work, can also increase vulnerability. The health effects of wildfire smoke range from mild irritation to serious aggravations of asthma attacks and even heart failure.
Michigan residents can monitor real-time air quality data via the MiAir website and the national EPA AirNow platform. For further health guidance, they were directed to MDHHS resources and hotlines.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday afternoon: "Northerly winds will continue to transport smoke from wildfires south into Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan today resulting in poor air quality. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects."
MDHHS, on a webpage about wildfire smoke: "Climate change makes wildfire season worse. Hotter and drier conditions in North American forests mean that there is more dry wood and underbrush that can easily be ignited by a stray campfire spark or a lightning strike. Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and small (or fine) particles that can harm your health if you breathe it. Everyone should avoid breathing wildfire smoke, and some people are more sensitive to it because of their age or pre-existing health conditions."
What Happens Next
The statewide air quality advisory was expected to remain in effect through at least Thursday night, though conditions could change depending on weather shifts and the movement of wildfire smoke. State officials strongly encouraged residents to stay updated on air quality forecasts and to continue following protective health measures as pollution levels fluctuated. If health symptoms worsen—especially in individuals with known respiratory or cardiac conditions—prompt medical evaluation was recommended.