Air Quality Action Day is in effect as haze settles across Bloomington-Normal

Air quality has deteriorated in Bloomington-Normal and across central Illinois, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to pour in from the north.

The U.S. Air Quality Index showed McLean County degrading to the Very Unhealthy category as of Wednesday. That means the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an Air Quality Action Day that's in effect until midnight Wednesday. An Air Quality Action Day means that smoke concentrations within the region will approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity.

Hazy conditions were observed throughout Tuesday across Bloomington-Normal. Visibility in Bloomington was down to 1.75 miles as of Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service at Lincoln.

The poor air quality led to several cancellations. Normal Parks and Rec closed several facilities Tuesday afternoon, including public pools, Champion Fields, and youth sports at various parks, according to a Facebook post. Bloomington Parks and Rec moved some youth sports programs indoors and said "staff will be alert and mindful of the air quality and provide extra breaks" at other locations, according to a Facebook post. McLean County Pony Baseball canceled all activities at its complex Tuesday night, according to a Facebook post.

Illinois State University on Wednesday urged those who are spending time outdoors to consider wearing a mask to reduce exposure. Complimentary KN95 masks are available for free at the Bone Student Welcome Desk, the Milner Library Circulation Desk, and at Linkins Dining Center in West Campus.

The American Lung Association offers these six tips for people to avoid lung irritation and health complications due to increased air pollution:

1. Stay indoors. People living close to the fire-stricken areas should follow guidance from local authorities, and remain indoors to reduce breathing smoke, ashes and other pollution in the area if instructed to do so.
2. Protect the air in your home. Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting. You can also watch this video on how to create a clean room in your house.
3. Keep an eye on symptoms. Higher levels of smoke in some areas can make breathing more difficult. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare provider.
4. Take precautions for kids. Extra precaution should be taken for children, who are more susceptible to smoke. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air (and consequently more pollution) for their size than adults.
5. Don’t count on a dust mask. Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, and cloth facial coverings will not help. They still allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through. Special, more expensive dust masks with an N-95 or N-100 filter will filter out the damaging fine particles, but may not fit properly, are not made for children or adults with facial hair and are difficult for people with lung disease to use.
6. Ask for help. The American Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect yourself during wildfires.