‘It's smoky out': Londoners cope with poor air quality
A haze is present in the air across much of southwestern Ontario as forest fire smoke from the west continues to affect air quality.
'It's been poor for the past few days, particularly earlier this morning,' said David Pavletic, Manager of Health Hazards at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
At 7 a.m. Friday, Environment Canada reported the air quality index had almost reached 10, the maximum score.
That's when Pavletic states things get serious.
060625 - smoky air
David Pavletic, Manager of Health Hazards, Middlesex-London Health Unit. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
'The recommendation at that point would be to the general population to reduce activities outdoors and strenuous activities, for sure.'
But air quality fluctuates with wind patterns. The unpredictability led some Londoners to be proactive, including senior Pauline Salisbury, who opted to wear a mask on a visit to Cherryhill Village Mall.
'I have a cough, and it's smoky out,' she explained.
Another not taking many chances was parent Kiki Charles. She took her son, Elijah, to a city playground while the index was low.
'I wanted to kind of beat the bad weather.'
As the pair had fun, she was mindful of advisories warning that children, seniors and those with compromised health face the greatest risk from the smoky air.
'I pay attention to whether or not he's exhausted or dehydrated,' Charles said.
Even while indoors, there are safety precautions health officials recommend.
They include closing all windows and doors and considering the purchase of a good quality air filter for heating and cooling systems.
Not everyone heeds the advice, including Sandy Kirby.
'I read it. I'm careful, but I don't get all frantic about it.'
Still, health officials advise that the poor air is expected to linger through the weekend.
060625 - smoky air
Pauline Salisbury, opted to wear a mask on Friday. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
That's why Pauline plans to keep her mask on.
'Well, like, I know some friends of mine who have a chronic cough. So, if they see me wearing a mask, then hopefully they will too, and protect themselves.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Seasonique birth control pills from Teva Canada recalled due to extra yellow tablets
Social Sharing Health Canada issued a recall notice on Friday for some Seasonique birth control products due to some packages containing the correct blue-green pills coming with extraneous yellow tablets. The agency says the recall is for the 0.01-milligram ethinyl estradiol, 0.03-milligram ethiny lestradiol and 0.15-milligram levonorgestrel Seasonique pills made by Teva Canada. Health Canada said those who find the yellow pills should not consume them and return the product to a pharmacy for a replacement or alternative, adding that those who can't return them right away should continue taking the regular blue-green tablets as instructed until they are able to return them. "If you took a yellow pill instead of a blue-green pill ... or if you are unsure, you should also use another method of non-hormonal back-up contraception (such as condoms) and consult with your health care professional," the agency said. Friday's contraceptive pill recall is the latest by Teva Canada. On Thursday, it recalled its Seasonale pills (0.15-milligram levonorgestrel and 0.03-milligram ethinyl estradiol) due to white placebo pills being found among the regular pink tablets. And in May, Teva Canada had to recall the same Seasonique tablets recalled on Friday due complaints that packages were missing some pills.
CBC
30 minutes ago
- CBC
Health authority interim CEO calls for further integration of AI into health care
Social Sharing Nova Scotia needs to merge artificial intelligence into the health-care system by way of a research centre, says the interim CEO of the Nova Scotia Health Authority. At a panel discussion on Friday at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Karen Oldfield said AI has been introduced to the health-care system in small amounts, but more needs to be done. "We have to lay this foundation," Oldfield said. "But to get to the predictive analytics, to wellness, to precision medicine, we have to have this." Oldfield says that the next logical step for the province is to develop a centre of excellence, meaning a hub dedicated to overseeing and researching AI. Oldfield expanded on this, saying AI would improve clinical efficiency and administration. Oldfield said AI could be used to determine a population or community with a higher likelihood of contracting diseases, like certain kinds of cancer. "If we can predict, then we can get ahead of it," said Oldfield. "That's really where most provinces and most countries want to get.... That's where we need to head." Oldfield says the development of such a centre would be dependent on people more than money. "We need the researchers that are able to use that data …to develop their algorithms that can lead us to predictive analytics and precision medicine," said Oldfield. The proposed AI centre for excellence is only in its early stages. Oldfield says she has had conversations about a centre with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and various members of the federal government.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Simcoe County walks to raise money for ALS research
Residents of Simcoe County gathered at the Dorian Parker Centre at Sunnidale Park Saturday morning to raise awareness and money for ALS research. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that progressively paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body. According to the ALS Canada Walk to End ALS website, Simcoe County raised more than $140,000 leading up to the walk. Each walk location had a fun zone station with stickers and craft materials and participants were welcomed to create their own signs for the walk. Proceeds from the walk go towards funding for Canadian ALS research. The walk is recognized in various provinces including Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.
