Unhealthy Air Quality Expected in Dubuque Today and Tomorrow

The smell of smoke in Dubuque's air and subsequent haze stems from ongoing Canadian fires that are producing unhealthy levels of PM2.5 particulates over much of eastern Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and the upper Midwest.

• Fine particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs; exposure to the smallest particles can affect the lungs and heart.
• Fine particles are respiratory irritants, and exposure to high concentrations can cause persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
• Exposure to fine particles can affect healthy people, causing respiratory symptoms and reductions in lung function. Particle pollution may also affect the body's ability remove foreign materials, such as pollen and bacteria, from the lungs.

People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens should take any of the following steps to reduce exposure:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• Keep outdoor activities short.
• Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

All other individuals should takeany of these steps to reduce exposure:

• Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so they aren't breathing as hard.
• Shorten the amount of outdoor activity time.
• Be active outdoors when air quality is better.

Properly worn N95 masks are effective in filtering and protecting against PM 2.5 particulates. N95 masks can protect those individuals vulnerable to smoke who must be outdoors for extended periods of time.

Check www.airnow.gov for current air quality conditions.

For more information on health effects of particle pollution, see https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/about/