HUDSON VALLEY – As smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift across the Hudson Valley, a pulmonary specialist is urging residents to take precautions, warning that poor air quality can affect even healthy people.
“This smoke contains very fine particles that can get deep into your lungs and irritate your body,” said Dr. Lawrence Shulman, chief medical officer for Optum New York and New Jersey.
The Mid-Hudson region is experiencing visible smoke, hazy skies, and elevated levels of smoke-related air pollution as wildfire smoke continues to drift into the area. Conditions improved temporarily on Friday, but smoke is expected to return on Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are then expected to help clear the air.
More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, and winds are carrying the smoke southeast with other wildfires in Minnesota. The State DEC and Department of Health issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for Saturday due to the impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.
The most common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, burning eyes, and a scratchy throat, particularly for people who spend extended periods outdoors commuting, exercising, or working. Dr. Ramesh Laungani, an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Marist University, noted that smoke from wildfires contain PM2.5, a known air pollutant that has been linked to negative health outcomes.
“In terms of precautions on a bad air quality day, it would be good to try to reduce exposure to the smoke by staying indoors if possible and maybe consider using a mask like an N95 or KN95 when outside,” Laungani said.
Shulman said children, older adults, and people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart disease face the greatest risk because even brief exposure can worsen existing conditions.
Still, he said healthy people should not ignore the smoky conditions.
“Even people who are generally healthy can feel irritation from this,” Shulman said. “Most people will feel better once they get out of the smoky air, but it’s still important to reduce exposure when conditions are poor.”
His advice is to stay indoors, when possible, keep windows and doors closed, use air conditioning on the recirculation setting, and run an air purifier if available. Outdoor exercise and youth sports should be moved indoors or postponed until air quality improves, and people who must work outside should take breaks indoors.
Shulman encourages residents to monitor the Air Quality Index before making outdoor plans.
“If the numbers are high, that’s your signal to limit outdoor time and take precautions,” he said.
Anyone experiencing worsening breathing problems, chest discomfort or persistent symptoms should contact a healthcare provider, particularly those with underlying heart or lung conditions.
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