A total of 23 states have issued air quality alerts due to wildfire smoke from Canada, posing a hazard to the health of approximately 120 million people.

The most heavily affected area stretches from Wisconsin to Alabama and from Iowa to the East Coast. Cities in the Great Lakes region, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh, are suffering the worst. As the situation is anticipated to worsen over the next several days and into the remainder of Canada's wildfire season, many are left wondering what to do to protect their health.

'BIDENOMICS': FACT-CHECKING BIDEN'S 2024 ECONOMIC PITCH

What is the health risk of wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke consists of up to 80% particulate matter, or dust, soot, ash, and other harsh chemicals that are essentially the same toxins found in tobacco smoke. Other toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, are also found in wildfire smoke in high quantities.

Although medical experts in lung functioning have previously told the Washington Examiner that anyone can experience serious consequences from wildfire smoke exposure, those with a chronic lung condition, such as COPD or asthma, as well as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, are most at risk for severe complications.

Pregnant women are also at risk for going into premature labor if exposed for too long to particulate matter toxins. Infants are also more likely to suffer from low birth weight if exposed to wildfire smoke in utero.

“Very pregnant women are one of the vulnerable populations, just like the elderly, the very young, those with preexisting conditions, homeless people — those groups that really need to pay more attention to exposure to the smoke,” Dr. Mary Prunicki, director of air pollution and health research at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, previously told the Washington Examiner.

How do you safeguard your health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency strongly recommend staying indoors or leaving the affected area if possible. Exercising outdoors is also particularly dangerous because physical exertion increases mouth breathing and further exposure to particulate matter.

Both the CDC and EPA recommend wearing an N95 or P100 respirator mask to filter out particulate matter if it is impossible to avoid being outside for extended periods of time. These types of masks are available at most hardware stores and online.

N95 respirators have a 95% filtration efficacy for particles of 0.1 to 0.3 microns. The EPA identifies that most particulate matter in wildfire smoke ranges from 0.1 to 2.5 microns, with some toxins being up to 10 microns in size.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Use a respirator only after first trying other, more effective methods to avoid smoke," the EPA warns. "That includes staying indoors and reducing activity."

The EPA also notes that respirator masks are not meant for children and, because they are designed to fit tightly across the face, facial hair diminishes their effectiveness.