As Air Quality Improves, Symptoms from Wildfire Smoke May Subside

After weeks of concerning air quality, beginning on Thursday, August 14th, the air quality forecast for the Westwood area is looking “good” according to MassAir Online.

Data from MassAir Online shows that from the end of July through Wednesday, August 13th, the local area air quality has usually been in the "moderate" or "unhealthy for sensitive individuals" range. 

Wildfires in Canada have been reported to be the cause of the extended period of poor air quality in the Boston area and New England.

Some local residents have reported seeing haze in the air, itchy eyes, and uncomfortable respiratory symptoms. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that people with chronic conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart disease are most at risk of getting sick from wildfire smoke. Breathing in the polluted air can cause a person to cough, have asthma attacks or trouble breathing, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinus, stinging eyes, headaches, chest pain, quickened heart rate, and/or tiredness.

With a predicted return to "good" air quality beginning on Thursday, August 14th that continues through the weekend and into the immediate future, locals may look forward to symptoms of illness from wildfire smoke subsiding.

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