“When you look nationally, wildfires, particularly related to Canadian fires, have really been a new problem and would suggest that the amount of days with poor quality is going up 25 times compared to the early 2000s.”
Dr. Glenn Van Otteren is a pulmonary critical physician at Corewell Health Medical Group.
He and his partners are seeing an increase in cases they attribute directly to the poor air quality.
“An increase in visits to the emergency room, admissions to the hospital, ICU hospitalizations, as well as just simple calls to the office. Those are all increase on days when there is poor air quality.”
As expected for those with asthma or lung issues, but poor air quality also affects those with heart issues, diabetes, and kidney disease.
It’s even linked to additional COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Anyone with inflammation in their lungs from wildfire smoke would be more sensitive to an infection with COVID-19.
“They're more likely to have symptoms, to get more ill and those symptoms can last longer. The virus tends to linger longer can be transmitted longer so all this kind of snowballs.”
Van Otteren says the trend will likely continue.
“That really speaks the fact that this is a new paradigm, this is really a new problem and why we really should be aware of it and take it seriously.”
Indoor Air Safety Tips
- Keep windows and doors shut to prevent smoke from entering.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to improve air quality.
- Run air conditioning with clean filters to help circulate fresher air.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors to reduce smoke infiltration.
- Avoid burning candles or smoking indoors, which can worsen air quality.
- If available, use indoor air quality sensors to monitor pollution levels.
Outdoor Air Safety Tips
- Wear an N95 or KN95 mask to filter harmful particles.
- Limit outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise.
- Check air quality forecasts before heading out—AirNow provides real-time updates.
- Stay hydrated to help your body cope with pollutants.
- Avoid high-traffic areas or industrial zones where air quality may be worse.
While driving, keep windows closed and use the air recirculation mode to minimize exposure.
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