Published June 27, 2023 12:14PM
Updated 4:19PM
Smoke from Canadian wildfires leaves Chicago with dangerously low air quality levels
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.
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.
How does the current level of particles in the air in Chicago, equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes a day, affect residents’ health and what precautions should they take
Air quality as “unhealthy,” urging residents to take precautions. The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has caused a significant decline in air quality levels, with Chicago experiencing the worst air quality of any city in the world, according to the World Air Quality Index.
Dr. Rachna Shah, an allergist and immunologist with Loyola Medicine, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the current level of particles in the air is equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes or almost half a pack a day.
The City of Chicago is closely monitoring the drifting smoke and has issued recommendations for residents to protect their health. These include wearing masks, limiting outdoor activities, and moving indoors. The city also advised residents to close their windows and, if possible, use indoor air filters to mitigate the effects of the poor air quality.
The smog caused by the wildfire smoke has created a thick haze, obscuring the city’s skyline and reducing visibility to 1-2 miles. Rich Guidice, Chief of Staff for Mayor Brandon Johnson, likened the situation to extreme weather conditions, such as extreme heat or extreme cold.
AirNow.gov has classified Chicago’s air quality as “unhealthy,” emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to safeguard public health. As the smoke continues to drift and affect air quality, residents are urged to stay informed about the situation and follow the guidelines provided by the city and health officials.
This alarming situation serves as a stark reminder of how interconnected our world is. The devastating impact of the Canadian wildfires reaches far beyond their immediate vicinity, affecting the air quality in Chicago. Urgent action is needed to address the root causes of such disasters and protect the well-being of our communities.