Chicago air quality deemed 'unhealthy' as smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on area
CHICAGO - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency posted air quality alerts for several states stretching from Montana to Ohio on Sunday because of smoke blowing in from Canadian wildfires.
"Air Quality alerts are in place for much of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and northern High Plains," the National Weather Service said. "This is due to the lingering thick concentration of Canadian wildfire smoke over these regions. While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wain by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week."
The U.S. EPA's AirNow air quality page rated the air in Chicago as "unhealthy" as of 9 a.m. CDT Sunday. And in Michigan, state environmental officials said the air "is unhealthy for sensitive groups."
Entire state of Illinois under air quality alert because of Canadian wildfire smoke
The wildfire smoke brings a toxic brew of contaminants known as "particulate matter 2.5." Wearing N-95 or KN-95 masks can help filter out the dangerous pollution.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advised people in the state to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities.
Buildings as smoke from Canada wildfires creates haze in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The US Northeast will continue to breathe in choking smoke from fires across eastern Canada for the next few days, raising health alarms across (Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Office of Sustainability issued a Knozone Action Day for Sunday, saying people throughout central Indiana should avoid time spent outdoors as much as possible, especially active children, the elderly, anyone who is pregnant, and those with asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema, heart disease or COVID-19. Sensitive groups should remain indoors Sunday and refrain from activities that degrade indoor air quality, including burning candles and vacuuming.
SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBE
Health officials have recommended people can stay safe by taking steps such as wearing a mask, staying indoors and keeping indoor air clean.