By Radio Iowa Contributor

Even with all the recent rain, much of Iowa’s northern half remains under a moderate health advisory due to smoke from distant wildfires, and a mental health expert says that smoke is affecting more than just people’s lungs.

Clinical health psychologist Dr. Kristi White says many of her patients are bringing up the smoky conditions during appointments.

“It can cause stress, it can cause anxiety and depression symptoms,” White says. “From just a physiological perspective in terms of what it does to the brain, that particulate matter or pollution can actually cross over the blood-brain barrier.”

White says the wildfire smoke can affect both physical and mental health and it’s fueling concerns about the future. She says many people worry smoky that summers could become more common.

“There’s kind of this background stress of climate change is making extreme heat and wildfires worse,” White says, “and so this is starting to become something that is more regular and people don’t want it to become a new normal and not stressing them out.”

It’s recommended that people with various sensitivities consider making outdoor activities light and short, and that they go inside to cleaner air if symptoms appear. White says some people are feeling frustrated about missing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

“People are feeling like some of the best days of the year to get outside and spend time are kind of ruined for them, right?” White says. “A lot of people like to get outside, spend time in nature, really enjoy the summer weather.”

She says losing access to outdoor activities can take a real emotional toll.