Key takeaways:
- Canadian wildfire smoke has repeatedly pushed Ohio’s PM₂.₅ levels into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range, even when skies appear clear.
- Symptoms like congestion, post-nasal drip, and worsened snoring occur when nasal passages can’t properly filter lingering indoor and outdoor particles.
- ADVENT’s in-office procedures help Ohioans restore nasal function and protect against poor air quality’s effects.
This week, many Ohioans may have glanced outside and thought the air looked fine, but their bodies disagreed. Canadian wildfire smoke, now drifting over the Midwest, has pushed PM₂.₅ into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range in parts of northern and central Ohio, including Cleveland, Akron-Canton, Columbus, and Dayton. Local alerts from agencies and local news sources have confirmed a surge in smoke-related air quality concerns.
Even when the haze isn't obvious, Ohioans have seen elevated particle levels. Many residents have reported sore throats, sinus pressure, and days where breathing just feels labored.
How the Smoke Affects Your Airway
Wildfire smoke is more than an irritant, it's full of microscopic particles (PM₂.₅) that slip past your body's defenses when your nose isn’t filtering properly.
“Poor air quality can irritate the lining of the nasal cavity, causing an increase in nasal congestion, swelling, and runny nose,” explained Paul Cleland, PA-C of ADVENT Dublin.
When your nose is inflamed–whether due to allergies, a deviated septum, or chronic congestion–it can’t filter these particles efficiently, meaning more irritants reach your sinuses, lungs, and bloodstream.
Common symptoms Ohioans may be experiencing include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes
- Sinus pressure
- Scratchy throat
- Morning dry mouth
- Increased snoring
Even in indoor spaces, microscopic particles can linger in the air. If your airway is inflamed or blocked, your body may struggle to keep up.
Steps to Protect Your Airway Around Smoke
While local health officials advise limiting outdoor activity during active alerts, your nose plays a vital role in those protections. Here’s what you can do:
- Daily saline rinses to cleanse inhaled particles
- Run a HEPA air purifier especially in bedrooms or home offices
- Keep windows and doors closed, especially during commute or peak-smoke hours
- Upgrade HVAC filters to MERV‑13 or higher
- Skip yardwork or errands outdoors during high AQI days
Monitoring symptoms matters too. Persistent congestion, scratchy throat, or poor sleep even after the air clears may indicate an underlying issue with nasal airflow. People at highest risk include infants, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
How ADVENT Helps Ohioans Breathe Well
At ADVENT, we treat your airway, starting with the nose. “ADVENT can help patients optimize their nasal cavity through targeted medical management and simple in-office procedures to minimize the effects of poor air quality,” said Cleland. Our minimally invasive procedures, such as balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction, restore natural nasal breathing so your body can better filter air, including wildfire particles that slip past blocked passages.
If you’ve noticed more congestion when the air quality dips, or you're waking up feeling dusty and mouth‑breathing, it may be due to a nasal issue, not just the smoke. Schedule an appointment at one of our Ohio clinics to get back to natural, unobstructed breathing.
References
Associated Press. (2025, August 2). How to protect yourself from bad air caused by wildfires. https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-smoke-air-quality-breathe-climate-46a02dfbd32c9eca3a30691747e602df
Cleland P. (2025). Personal interview.
Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (2025, August 4). Canadian wildfires impact Cleveland air quality Monday; ozone alert issued for Tuesday. https://fox8.com/news/canadian-wildfires-impacting-cleveland-air-quality/
Spectrum News 1 (Columbus). (2025, June 4). Air Quality Advisory issued for northeast Ohio counties. https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2025/06/04/air-quality-alert-issued-for-northeast-ohio-counties
The Columbus Dispatch. (2025, August 5). Why is the air quality bad in Ohio? Blame Canada. See wildfire smoke maps. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2025/08/05/air-quality-ohio-canadian-wildfire-smoke/85520826007/
WTOL 11 (Toledo). (2025, July 15). Canadian wildfire smoke reaches northwest Ohio; air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups. https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/canadian-wildfire-smoke-toledo-air-quality-index-health-weather-environment/512-2bde4629-fbb1-41da-af0a-75bb1ecd4326
WSYX ABC 6 (Columbus).(2025, July 5). Air quality alert issued for central Ohio due to smoke, fireworks from Thursday and Friday. https://cwcolumbus.com/news/local/air-quality-alert-central-ohio-july-5-2025-smoke-fireworks-ozone-pollution-mowing-driving-gasoline-heat-sunlight-emissions-health-tips-forecast-morpc-outdoors-sensitive-groups-idling-refueling