Montréal and Toronto have some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke: How to protect yourself, according to an expert
Toronto and Montreal's air quality is on par with some of the worst in the world due to drifting wildfire smoke. While fires continue to burn in Western Canada, wind has carried smoke from the fires to Ontario, Quebec and areas in the U.S. like Nebraska, Michigan and Wisconsin. The impact of wildfire smoke is so severe, Environment Canada issued air quality statements for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Montréal Island Area.
As of 12:25 p.m. EST., IQAir, a Swiss technology company, ranked Montreal as the city with the worst air quality in the world. Toronto came in third place, behind Santiago.
Environment Canada is encouraging people, especially the elderly, pregnant people, children and people with chronic health conditions, to avoid spending time outdoors whenever possible.
As of June 6, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported 212 active fires in Canada, with 91 considered out of control. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan due to poor visibility and air quality due to smoke. Manitoba's state of emergency required residents of several communities to evacuate due to air quality and lack of power.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Wildfire smoke isn't just contained to affected areas. Environment Canada has issued a weather alert for parts of Ontario due to poor air quality that may cause people to experience symptoms like cough, headaches as well as nose and throat irritation.
The Weather Channel in the U.S. reported wildfire smoke from Canada is visible as far as the Gulf Coast. Winds have caused smoke to impact air quality in states like Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan as well as North and South Dakota.
As the wildfire season kicks off, ways to protect ourselves from smoke are top-of-mind for many. Yahoo Canada previously spoke to a top respirologist in Toronto, who weighed in on the impact of smoke on our lungs, and what to do to stay safe. Read on for everything you need to know.
Dr. John Granton, a respirologist at the Toronto General Hospital (University Health Network), told Yahoo Canada wildfires cause air pollution that can have a far-reaching effect on human health.
Small air pollutant particles in the smoke, called the PM2.5 particles, are "where a lot of the toxic stuff lives," Granton explained.
"That's not filtered by your upper airway, that gets access to your lower airway and into your bloodstream even — and that's where the danger lies.
"That can cause asthma attacks, can cause heart attacks, can contribute to hospitalizations and has long-term health outcomes."
Even just the smell could cause problems to some, he said.
"Being in smog all day long, the smell bothers people; it can cause irritation of the upper airway, some of the larger particles can cause irritation, and cause symptoms. People [who] have chest symptoms or asthma, it can make them feel worse."
Granton said smoke isn't easy to escape, but there are some things people can do try and stay safe.
According to Granton, "there's not a lot of data to support the health benefits of masking" when it comes to safety from wildfire smoke. But, he said there is research looking into the effectiveness of filters.
"Cloth masks or scarves and things are not effective at all," the doctor claimed.
But, surgical masks and N95 filter masks "tend to filter those smaller particles," he added, "apparently some of those masks are effective."
Granton said "they're not going to filter the gases," though, and there are studies that question whether masks that aren't properly fitted would actually help in the real world.
"Whether or not that has a direct health benefit is speculative right now," Granton explained.
However, he said it "may be reasonable" for those who have underlying health conditions and those who have to be in the hotspots of the pollution to wear one.
"If you have to be outdoors and doing things, then wearing that sort of mask to protect you would be sensible."
Though filtration masks could aid in protecting your lungs from smoke, the number one recommendation from experts is to stay indoors.
According to Health Canada, the following measures should also be taken:
Reduce sources of indoor air pollution (smoking, vacuuming, burning candles, wood stoves)
Prevent infiltration of outside air (seal windows, instal a high-quality air filter, set HVAC system to recirculation mode, limit use of exhaust fans when not cooking)
Have a functioning CO alarm
Use a portable air purifier and air conditioning
Granton echoed this advice.
"Most people recommend staying indoors as much as possible and not exercising or doing things outside," he reiterated.
Room Size: 47 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 30
Dust CADR: 41
PM2.5 CADR: 35
Pollen CADR: 52
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Room Size: 140 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 90
Dust CADR: 101
PM2.5 CADR: 95
Pollen CADR: 119
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Room Size: 170 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 110
Dust CADR: 120
Pollen CADR: 130
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Room Size: 206 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 133
Dust CADR: 141
Pollen CADR: 145
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Room Size: 200 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 132
Dust CADR: 130
Pollen CADR: 152
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
Room Size: 358 ft2
Tobacco Smoke CADR: 231
Dust CADR: 240
PM2.5 CADR: 236
Pollen CADR: 259
Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
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According to Health Canada, the following measures should also be taken: Reduce sources of indoor air pollution (smoking, vacuuming, burning candles, wood stoves) Prevent infiltration of outside air (seal windows, instal a high-quality air filter, set HVAC system to recirculation mode, limit use of exhaust fans when not cooking) Have a functioning CO alarm Use a portable air purifier and air conditioning Granton echoed this advice. "Most people recommend staying indoors as much as possible and not exercising or doing things outside," he reiterated. Room Size: 47 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 30 Dust CADR: 41 PM2.5 CADR: 35 Pollen CADR: 52 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz Room Size: 140 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 90 Dust CADR: 101 PM2.5 CADR: 95 Pollen CADR: 119 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz Room Size: 170 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 110 Dust CADR: 120 Pollen CADR: 130 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz Room Size: 206 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 133 Dust CADR: 141 Pollen CADR: 145 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz Room Size: 200 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 132 Dust CADR: 130 Pollen CADR: 152 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz Room Size: 358 ft2 Tobacco Smoke CADR: 231 Dust CADR: 240 PM2.5 CADR: 236 Pollen CADR: 259 Volts / Frequency: 120V / 60Hz
