Where to buy face masks for unhealthy air quality from Canadian fires

N95 and KN95 masks available on Amazon (photo courtesy of Amazon)

The air quality is expected to be bad again in several areas over the next few days due to wildfires in Canada so residents of some US cities are urged to protect themselves by wearing masks and staying inside as much as possible.

According to the AP, smoke from Canada’s wildfires settled over most of the Great Lakes region and unhealthy haze spread southward, as far as Missouri and Kentucky on Wednesday. Drifting smoke from the wildfires has created a haze over several areas of the United States, pushing into southern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, and moving into parts of West Virginia.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov site shows Detroit in the “hazardous” range. Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh all have “very unhealthy” air. A wider circle of unhealthy air spread into St. Louis and Louisville.

FDNY tweeted on Wednesday that “air quality is expected to worsen again Wednesday and Thursday due to windy conditions combined with wildfires burning in Canada. The FDNY encourages you to wear N95 or KN95 masks. If you are in need of high-quality masks, you can stop by your local firehouse. Limit 2 per person.”

Residents being affected by the smoke are encouraged to wear an N95 or KN95 mask. According to the Washington State Department of Health, Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and can make you cough and wheeze, making it hard to breathe.

If you have a lung disease or heart disease, inhaling wildfire smoke can be especially harmful. The most effective ways to protect yourself from wildfire smoke are to stay indoors, limit time outdoors and reduce physical activity. People who must be outside in smoky air may benefit from wearing masks called “particulate respirators,” stated the Washington State Department of Health.

Residents can shop online at Walmart and Amazon for N95 AND KN95 masks. Here is a look at what is available:

N95 and KN95 masks are available at Walmart (photo courtesy of Walmart)

Walmart:

Amazon:

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.