Air quality alerts published by the National Weather Service (NWS) spanned numerous states as of early Sunday, with officials warning of the potential risk to children's health presented by pollution.

Why It Matters

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) children's lungs are still developing, which makes them particularly sensitive to wildfire smoke and ash. Fine particles (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke can also pose health risks for pregnant people and other vulnerable groups, the agency says.

Children exposed to wildfire smoke may experience chest pain and tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation in the nose, throat, and eyes, among other symptoms.

What To Know

In Washington, alerts covered much of the eastern half of the state. Smoke fr

See Full Page