Air Quality Alert in Major U.S. Cities Raises Respiratory Health Concerns

Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to drift across parts of the Midwest and East Coast, triggering air quality alerts from the EPA. Cities like Chicago, New York, and Detroit are experiencing “unhealthy for sensitive groups” ratings, leading to an uptick in ER visits related to asthma and COPD. Experts recommend limiting outdoor activity, using air purifiers indoors, and wearing N95 masks during peak hours. This serves as a reminder that environmental health is deeply connected to individual health, especially among vulnerable communities.