Thankfully, I have family in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) industry, and my AC repairs (air conditioning) and unit are up to date because, between the extreme heat and the wildfires in Canada, I have had to have my system running for many days in a row this month.
It is recommended that if you have AC, to turn it on and shut the windows in your home to help keep the bad air quality outside – not in one’s house. Bad air quality, according to Healthline, “Air pollution is a significant problem worldwide and is linked to various conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, autism, depression, and developmental delays. There’s also growing evidence linking air pollution to headache disorders, especially migraine episodes.
Several pollutants have been linked to headaches, including the following:
- Particulate matter: Tiny particles of solids or liquids suspended in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, which can be harmful when inhaled.
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Ozone
- Carbon monoxide
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Biomass fuels,”.
Michigan’s official government website declares that, “Meteorologists at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have issued updated air quality alert information for the state of Michigan, upgrading the status for the entire state of Michigan to Hazardous. This is due to elevated levels of fine particulate in the air from wildfire smoke. Smokey conditions are expected to linger into Saturday with the Upper Peninsula bearing the brunt of the impact,”.
The part of Canada where the wildfires are, within the Boreal Forest, is located in the Province of Ontario and is affecting air quality across Michigan. Although we have horrible air quality across the state, even in the Southeast Detroit area, our Upper Peninsula is getting hit hardest, and particulate matter is the concern coming from the plumes of wildfire smoke.
To date, a smoky haze, and even falling ash in some areas, have blanketed parts of our beloved Upper Peninsula.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional medical or psychological advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from a healthcare professional should you or a trusted loved one deem it necessary.
What part of Canada are the wildfires in?
Normally, I share about how grateful I am to live in an area that is close neighbors with Canada, but unfortunately, I cannot feel that way right now. They are experiencing a terrible wildfire outbreak in the Boreal Forests; wildlife is affected, people are being evacuated, businesses have closed, land has been lost for First Nations peoples, and the conditions are not looking well for any of the surrounding areas for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.
If we think we have it bad in Michigan, let’s think about how poor their air quality is and how we might be helpful or, at the very least, not contribute to the problem.
The Atlantic writes, “When the boreal forests of Canada catch on fire, no one can do anything about it in many cases. The forests are part of Earth’s largest land biome, a greenbelt of wilderness that encircles the globe, and they’ve been suffering from the planet’s thermostat being jacked up. Wood-boring pests that flourish in milder climates have swept north and east, through tens of millions of acres. Droughts and dwindling snowpack have stressed the trees. They are ready to burn.
Many people simply don’t grasp the sheer magnitude of the boreal forest or what it would take to manage fires across its enormous area,”.
Since the air quality has affected us directly in Michigan, I have done some digging and learned a lot about the Boreal Forests. TreeHugger shares, “30 Wild Facts About the Boreal Forest: The boreal forest is the world’s largest land-based biome. Spreading over continents and covering many countries, the boreal plays a significant role in the planet’s biodiversity and even its climate.
- The boreal covers most of inland Canada and Alaska, most of Sweden, Finland, and inland Norway, much of Russia, and the northern parts of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Japan.
- The boreal represents nearly 30% of the world’s forest cover.
- Canada contains 9% of the world’s forests. 77% of Canadian forests are in the boreal zone.
- The largest area of wetlands in any ecosystem of the world is found in the Canadian boreal region, containing more lakes and rivers than any similarly sized landmass on Earth.
- While typically low on biodiversity, the boreal around the globe supports a range of animals. Canada’s boreal forest is home to 85 species of mammals, 130 species of fish, some 32,000 species of insects, and 300 species of birds.
- The boreal forest stores enormous quantities of carbon, possibly more than the temperate and tropical forests combined, much of it in peatland,”.
To avoid sharing their whole list, we selected a few we thought appropriate for this article.
What is a bad air quality index
A bad air quality index is when the air quality is at a dangerous, “very unhealthy” level. In fact, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has advised residents to avoid doing outdoor activities. The Michigan DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has even offered refunds on camping reservations at state parks due to the atrocious air quality.
A few weeks ago, Michigan was at AQI (air quality index) levels of 200-300, and everyone was advised to stay indoors, shut their windows, and refrain from any outdoor physical exertion.
Based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and reported by AirNow, here are the AQI levels and what to do:
- “0–50 (Good): Air quality is ideal; you are safe to spend as much time outdoors as you’d like.
- 51–100 (Moderate):
Safe for most, but unusually sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
- 101–150 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups): People with asthma, heart/lung conditions, the elderly, and pregnant individuals should stay indoors. Everyone else should limit heavy or prolonged outdoor activities.
- 151–200 (Unhealthy): Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion and stay indoors if possible.
- 201–300 (Very Unhealthy) & 301+ (Hazardous): Everyone should remain indoors and keep all physical activity very low,”.
Can bad air quality cause headaches
In conclusion, poor air quality can trigger headaches, so monitor AQI alerts, stay indoors when needed, and prioritize clean air for your health.