As the smoke moves through the upper Midwest there are some steps you can take to reduce the effects on your health.
According to Mayo Clinic physician Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn the particles from the smoke can affect how our lungs function.
Vanichkachorn says this can make it difficult for our lungs to get rid of pieces of debris or viruses in our body. He recommends avoiding exposure as much as possible and wearing a mask.
"It's really only the N95 and N100 masks that are effective. Smoke involves particles that are quite small usually about 2.5- 10 microns," the physician tells News 8 Now. "You really need to have those N95 and N100 masks. You need to have them fitted properly as well too in order to protect yourself."
he air quality is impacting people including Maria Romero Dojan.
"I have noticed a little bit with my seasonal allergies. I feel like this year they kind of started spiking up and once I heard about the air quality, I thought maybe it had to do a little bit with that," Romero Dojan says.
Doctors say that anyone with a pre-existing lung condition is the most vulnerable to wildfire smoke. Children, elderly with poor immune systems and pregnant woman are also vulnerable.
Some long-term effects include Ashma attacks and worsening lung functions. Doctors are studying whether this can lead to cancer in the future.
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