Chicago's air quality is worst in the world Tuesday due to smoke: index

CHICAGO - Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires settled into a curtain of thick haze covering the Chicago area Tuesday, leading to air quality warnings.

The World Air Quality Index said on Tuesday Chicago had the worst air quality of any city in the world.

"The level of particles in the air right now are equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes. It’s almost a half pack a day," said Dr. Rachna Shah, allergist & immunologist with Loyola Medicine.

The City of Chicago released a statement saying it is monitoring the drifting smoke and encouraging residents to consider wearing masks, limit their time outside, and move activities indoors.

"The other piece is, yes, you should go ahead and close your windows. If you have an indoor air filter, you can run it," said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

From the streets to the sky, a blanket of smog was so thick, it made the city's skyline seemingly disappear.

The wildfire smoke reached its thickest point in Chicago around noon. Visibility in the area was around 1–2 miles.

"This is what we would call an extreme, just as we have extreme heat, extreme cold," said Rich Guidice, Chief of Staff for Mayor Brandon Johnson.

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On Tuesday, AirNow.gov categorized Chicago's air quality as ‘very unhealthy.’

In Evanston, beaches were shut down to encourage residents to stay indoors.

The hazy air also led to events like ‘Movies in the Parks’ at Burnham Park, the Museum of Science and Industry and Montgomery Ward Park being canceled.

Chicago Public Schools relocated its summer programs indoors for the day.

"The type of symptoms that you worry about are definitely respiratory symptoms and cardiac symptoms and especially people who are at risk of those symptoms," said Shah. "People who have asthma or have other respiratory conditions should watch out for shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or if they have a rescue medicine, which is Albuterol, if they’re using that more than a couple times in a day, then they should seek medical attention."

Even healthy individuals may experience uncomfortable symptoms, including difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, sore throat and burning or itchy eyes.

Dr. Shah, who determines the city and state's pollen counts each day, said on Tuesday morning, Loyola Medicine's pollen counter at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park picked up far more than just allergens.

"It was like sorting through trash in that slide because there were so many particles and other things in the air that I could also see on my microscope," said Shah.

If you're experiencing chest pain, heart racing or heart attack-like symptoms, doctors urge you to call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

By Tuesday evening, city officials said they had not seen an influx in emergency calls.

"The numbers to our 911 systems have been very low up until this point, but that’s something we will continue to monitor," said Guidice.

You’re also encouraged to check on your elderly neighbors.

Meanwhile, Detroit and Minneapolis were also high on the list of U.S. cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday.