Canada wildfire smoke threatens health of millions

[Mary Wilson]

4 hours ago
By Nadine Yousif
BBC News, Toronto​

Air quality advisories have been issued in New York City and surrounding areas, where a smoky haze could be seen blanketing the area on Tuesday​

High-risk air quality warnings have been issued for millions of people across North America due to ongoing wildfires in Canada.

Wildfire smoke has blanketed major cities in Ontario and Quebec, including Toronto and its surrounding areas.

The smoke has reached as far as New York City and Connecticut, where air quality has been classified as "unhealthy".

Much of the smoke is coming from Quebec, where 160 fires are burning.

Environment Canada issued its strongest warning on Tuesday for Ottawa, deeming the air quality in the Canadian capital a "very high risk" to people's health.

In Toronto and its surrounding areas, the air quality has been classified as "high risk".

Meanwhile, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified the air quality in much of the north-eastern US as "unhealthy", especially for people who already had respiratory issues. ...

Matthew Adams, a professor at the University of Toronto and the director of its Centre of Urban Environments, said immediate effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include shortness of breath, an elevated pulse, chest pain, or inflammation in the eyes, nose and throat. ...

But wildfire smoke has also been linked to serious, long-term health issues like cancer or lung disease, Prof Adams said, specifically for people who live in areas that experience frequent forest fires.

This is caused by small particles in the smoke haze, he said, which can enter the bloodstream and other parts of the human body, causing possible DNA mutations and other health issues.

Some studies have also shown that prolonged wildfire smoke exposure can affect pregnant women and their unborn children, Prof Adams added. ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65828469
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[Mary Wilson]

Here's how Canadian wildfires are worsening air quality across the U.S.

June 6, 20233:50 PM ET
By Joe Hernandez
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... Canada is in the midst of an especially bad wildfire season

So far this year, there have been 2,214 wildfires across Canada, according to Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair. The blazes have burned 3.3 million hectares — or more than 8 million acres.

The country is currently battling 413 wildfires, 249 of which are categorized as out of control, and an estimated 26,000 people remain evacuated from their homes. ...

Poor air quality alerts were in effect for all or parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

New York issued an air quality health advisory Tuesday for fine particulate matter in many parts of the state, including the New York City metro area.

Some Midwestern states were under threat from wildfire smoke, with air quality warnings in states including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Southern states were also impacted. Charlotte, N.C., and nearby areas were under a code orange air quality action day on Tuesday.

According to AirNow, an air quality database maintained by several federal agencies, moderate air quality and air quality unhealthy for certain groups was also recorded in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and several other states.

... Schlegelmilch says everyone should heed officials' warnings about poor air quality. Common recommendations include staying indoors and using an air filter, wearing a mask like an N95 when outside and avoiding strenuous activities.

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/06/1180...-the-u-s#:~:text=Canada is in the midst of an %20especially%20bad%20wildfire%20season&text=The%2 0blazes%20have%20burned%203.3,remain%20evacuated%2 0from%20their%20homes.
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