Smoke from Northern Ontario wildfires prompts Special Air Quality Statement for London region
A haze hung over the London region Thursday afternoon as smoke from Northern Ontario wildfires drifted into the area.
The poor air quality prompted Environment Canada to issue a Special Air Quality Statement for parts of southwestern Ontario, including London and Middlesex.
According to the Middlesex London Health Unit, air quality was expected to reach the high-risk category Thursday afternoon, before improving to low risk levels by Friday.
Anyone with respiratory concerns is advised to reduce outdoor activity.
In a statement Thursday, the health unit said as smoke increases, health risks also increase.
'You may experience mild symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough,' it said.
'More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough.'
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