Doctors warn at-risk groups as Canadian wildfires bring haze to Chicago
The Brief
Smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada is drifting south, bringing hazy skies and worsening air quality to the Chicago area.
Healthy individuals without pre-existing conditions may not notice any breathing issues, but the elderly, babies, and those with lung and heart conditions should take extra steps to prepare.
Doctors recommend sensitive groups, such as those with asthma or COPD, should stay indoors, in a room with clean, filtered air.
CHICAGO - Smoke from raging wildfires in Canada is drifting south, bringing hazy skies and worsening air quality to Chicagoland — a concern for sensitive groups and those preparing for outdoor events this weekend.
What we know
As thick haze from the north drifts into our region and air quality continues to decline, health experts are urging caution, particularly for individuals with certain pre-existing conditions.
"The best way to handle the heavy or smoky condition is to avoid it if you can and stay inside," said Steve Mosakowski, director, Respiratory Care Services, Rush University Medical Center.
Levels of fine particle pollution (PM2.5) were on the rise Friday and are expected to continue climbing throughout the weekend. That means sensitive groups will have a harder time breathing.
"If you're inside, go to your clean room that you have set up in your house, run your air conditioner, keep your windows closed, your door closed, let that air conditioner run and cool things off and also filter some of that air. If you have an air filter, run that in that room so it keeps that room nice and clean," Mosakowski explained.
Medical officials say it's important to understand the risks before lacing up and heading outdoors.
Between Friday afternoon and evening, the air quality, according to AirNow.gov, shifted from 'good' to 'moderate'—and is expected to get worse.
Most at risk of breathing difficulties are those with lung conditions like asthma and COPD, heart disease, the elderly, and babies.
"If people are going to go outside and they have asthma or COPD, bring that inhaler with you and your spacer so that you can treat yourself should you need to," said Mosakowski. "But anybody who feels like they are struggling to breathe should seek immediate emergency help so that they can get the help they need."
Mosakowski, who is also an assistant professor at Rush University's Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences shares that you'll start to notice worsening air quality simply by looking outside.
"It can give it that brown-ish or orange-ish reflection that we're going to see there. And that means that there's a lot more particles that are in the air that are reflecting that light," Mosakowski said.
Healthy individuals without pre-existing conditions may not notice any breathing issues.Those susceptible to breathing difficulties should also not burn candles or incense, which will further aggravate symptoms.
What they're saying
As the wind changed on Friday evening, haze hung over the Garfield Park Conservatory, where runners will take off for the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 (Half-Marathon) on Sunday."I've always been into humidity and even air quality and learning how it affects my running," said Jasmine Redmond-Winston, who is running in the race. "I am a little concerned but if it does clear up, that would be great."
On Friday, race crews were hard at work preparing the course, which starts and ends in Garfield Park, while also extending into Douglass Park and Humboldt Park.
"It's really cool to be on another side of the city that we don't really get a lot of exposure to, so that's really nice," Redmond-Winston said.
Many runners and event organizers are keeping an eye on the sky—hopeful the haze won't cast a shadow on race day.
"I'm excited to get back into it, you know the mix of emotions, the nerves and everything, the excitement, it's all kicking in," said Julian Rincon, who is running the Bank of America Chicago 13.1.
What's next
As the haze grows, local health officials and race organizers urge runners and residents to monitor air quality and adjust their activities as needed.
The Bank of America Chicago Half Marathon kicks off at 6:50 a.m. Sunday with the Wheelchair Division, followed by the Open Division at 7 a.m.
Packet pick-up will resume from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt Collection on Saturday.
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