'Parents scared to take children outside as air quality 'hits hazardous levels'
Chicago was recently engulfed by a cloud of toxic air chemicals, sparking debate among residents about the veracity of the incident. The news comes just after US President
Donald Trump revealed his plan to open 'hundreds of coal fire plants' despite climate disaster warnings.
Air quality maps displayed a hazardous air cloud hovering over the entire
Chicago
metropolitan area on Wednesday afternoon, with readings hitting 500 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). This score is the highest possible on Google Maps, indicating extremely dangerous air quality.
Chicago has been identified as having some of the worst air quality in the US, particularly concerning particle pollution. This refers to minuscule solid or liquid particles in the air that can be inhaled by people. Meanwhile,
scientists have warned of 'societal collapse' as climate conditions worsen.
Read More
Related Articles
Florida weather: Urgent warning as wildfires 'ramping up' amid worsening drought
Read More
Related Articles
New Jersey wildfire prompts evacuations and state of emergency in Ocean County
Both Google and Apple users received alarming notifications about the air pollution crisis, which caused more confusion than clarity for some.
The city is known for its poor air quality
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Many Chicago inhabitants questioned the existence of an emergency as their personal air quality trackers indicated different readings. One individual shared an image on Reddit showing the AQI in Chicago at 405 just after noon ET, asking fellow users: "How dangerous is it for me and my kid to be outside today?"
Interpreting this data can be challenging without a scientific background, but one expert has provided some clarification," reports
the Express US
.
"An air quality index of 500 or more is usually linked to some acute event, like wildfire smoke or smoke from a burning building. You typically don't see those things unless there is a major acute event that has occurred," Dr Vin Gupta, a pulmonologist based in Seattle, Washington, explained to DailyMail.com.
"Usually, the worst of the immediate effects are in somebody with an illness like asthma or emphysema (where tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged or destroyed)."
"Heavily polluted air could cause an exacerbation like chest pain, short breathing, and may require these people to go to the hospital."
People have been sharing the various measurements and alerts they received via social media. One user on X platform reported receiving an air quality alert message on their phone, warning that "everyone is even more likely to experience serious health effects."
Another individual shared a message their son received, indicating that Chicago's air was heavily laden with both carbon monoxide and PM10.
Both of these substances are toxic to humans and can harm the body in different ways depending on exposure.
Despite the absence of visible smog in Chicago at the time, expert Dr Juanita Mora, a physician with the American Lung Association, informed DailyMail.com that the air can still reach dangerous levels of pollution.
"We might not be able to see it in the air, but that's why I always tell my patients to check the air quality readings," she clarified.
She expressed alarm over the high PM10 levels detected in the atmosphere, emphasizing their potential health risks.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters
here
.
"The particles causing air pollution are one-tenth of a diameter, and they enter very easily through the nose and mouth and go straight to the lungs. Once there, they can cause asthma exacerbations and coughs in adults."
Despite the perplexing alerts, it's no secret that Chicago has a notorious reputation for its subpar air quality, much like many other major cities. The American Lung Association places the Windy City at 15th place for smog levels, a slight decline from its 17th position in the last two years.
A staggering 41% of cities worldwide are grappling with air pollution levels that exceed the World Health Organization's guidelines by more than sevenfold.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
here
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue Arabia
07-05-2025
- Vogue Arabia
5 Signs Your Cortisol Levels Are Too High
Internet searches for cortisol are spiking, with Google reporting that 'how to reduce cortisol' is currently one of the most popular searches. While we all need some cortisol – the primary stress hormone – in order to regulate our metabolism and blood sugar and maintain a healthy hormonal balance, too much – the result of chronic, prolonged stress – can be damaging. If you think you may be suffering from sky-high cortisol exposure, the first step towards fixing is knowing how to recognise the signs. Here are five symptoms that are worth paying attention to. Excess belly fat If you're constantly feeling stressed, it can make you more likely to overeat, or make poor decisions when it comes to which foods to snack on. That said, weight gain around your stomach isn't just indicative of eating the wrong thing, it's also a direct result of too much cortisol in your system. When the body is put under stress, cortisol and adrenaline (another hormone produced as part of the stress response) are released to help prepare the body to cope. This increases the body's metabolic rate and releases stored glucose, but any glucose that isn't used is converted into fat and stored in the abdomen. The reason this accumulates quickly is down to the type of stress threat faced, which is less likely to be a physical one (such as running away from a tiger), and more likely to be a psychological one (like an overflowing inbox). Because of this, you're less likely to burn through that glucose, meaning most of it heads straight to your belly. Disrupted sleep An out of control cortisol curve can play havoc with your sleep patterns, so any problems with dropping off, or finding yourself waking up in the night, could be signs that your cortisol levels are out of whack. A healthy cortisol curve is characterised by high cortisol in the morning which slowly declines before reaching a low right before bed. A misaligned curve is essentially the opposite: higher than desired levels at night, which can cause wakefulness and restlessness and prevent you from getting enough sleep. A puffy face A swollen or an overly rounded face (sometimes referred to as moon face) occurs when excess cortisol encourages the body to store extra fat on the sides of the face. Too much can also cause the body to retain extra water, which might also explain why your face appears puffier than normal when you're stressed. In some cases, a swollen face is also a sign of Cushing's syndrome, which occurs when your body produces too much cortisol or receives too much because of long-term use of drugs such as steroids. Reduced healing If you find yourself with cuts, bruises or aches and pains that just won't seem to get better, excess cortisol could be to blame. Higher than normal levels of the hormone inhibit the production of molecules called cytokines, which are responsible for triggering the body's healing process and dampening down inflammation. Coupled with the inflammation that chronic cortisol exposure causes on its own, it's no wonder your body might be struggling to recover. Constant bloating Continuously high cortisol forces the body to alter or shut down functions that might get in the way of a focus on immediate survival, and digestion is often one of the first systems to be affected. As part of its role in regulating several functions in the body, cortisol is responsible for regulating salt and mineral uptake. When we're stressed, excess cortisol increases salt levels and causes the body to hold on to more water than it needs. Reduced blood flow to the digestive system also interferes with bowel motility, which creates bacterial imbalances in the gut. Impacting the bacterial balance can lead to maldigestion of certain carbohydrates, which causes excess gas to be produced. This, combined with the increased water, causes bloating to occur. Article originally published on British Vogue
Times
28-04-2025
- Times
Are you emotionally fit? Take the test
Dr Emily Anhalt is a clinical psychologist and 'emotional fitness expert'. She co-founded a company that she describes as a 'gym for mental health '. Before you judge, she has consulted for American Express, the NBA, Google, Nasdaq, Unilever, Bloomberg and Spotify, among others. We are communal beings and intelligence is little use without emotional intelligence, she says. In her new book, Flex Your Feelings — Train Your Brain to Develop the 7 Traits of Emotional Fitness, Anhalt clarifies what being emotionally 'fit' actually is. It is not indulgence, it is 'self-maintenance'. It's about learning effectively to manage stress and your emotions, and she claims it will transform your relationships. As it is, when the going gets tough, many high-functioning entrepreneurs simply 'work even harder'. Just because people are accomplished and successful, she notes, 'it doesn't mean they don't struggle'. Hmm, are we surprised? Anhalt, 38, is a Silicon Valley native, and presumably has an unending supply of prospective clients. I'm in a glass house throwing stones, of course. With UK clients, Anhalt confides, she sometimes perceives 'a cultural and societal discouragement of being too focused on feelings'. She calls it 'stiff-upper-lip energy'. According to Anhalt, there can be a misconception, especially for men, that feelings equate to 'weakness'. She adds: 'What I have seen is that men who are always pushing away their emotions are more likely to be controlled by them. Men who allow themselves to feel their feelings are the ones who can make decisions from a stronger and more grounded place.' We're talking on Zoom and Anhalt's screen has such fuzzed-out effects she looks almost Disney-like, which is slightly disconcerting. But her every point is pin-sharp. She's also easy company — warm, open and engaged. Many high achievers assume that once they reach a certain level of success they will feel confident. 'But in my experience, confidence isn't a destination, it is a skill,' Anhalt says. 'And so the goal of emotional fitness is to teach people to build emotional resilience so that they don't just look strong on the outside, they feel strong on the inside.' And, crucially, you'll be nicer to be around. 'Anything we're trying to pursue in life is going to rely on the relationships that we have,' she says. 'Emotional fitness will strengthen the relationship you have to yourself and others, which will then benefit you, no matter what you're trying to achieve'. Here's how you can hone those seven traits. Work on your ability to tolerate discomfort Tolerance of emotional discomfort is key because 'every single thing that a person wants or needs in life lives on the other side of some discomfort', Anhalt says. She claims that when you can't bear discomfort your response in any challenging situation will be about escaping it, 'and often that's not the most important thing'. Say, if your partner is crying, you might leave the room. Only if you can tolerate uncertainty and not being in control will you be able to 'focus on what's best for the relationship'. If you can bear discomfort, Anhalt says, you increase your options — for example, saying no to extra work instead of yes. She suggests saying: 'Let me think about that.' It gives you time to calm your nervous system and realise: 'I think no is the best answer here. I can handle this discomfort.' Anhalt also notes that drinking too much, overeating or overworking is often a way of avoiding difficult feelings. 'If you want to understand why you do something, stop doing it and see how you feel.' Explore the worry beneath. Remind yourself that the discomfort will pass. Developing curiosity by dissecting your reputation We sometimes need to be defensive to protect ourselves. 'But often we can be defensive in a way that stops us learning the information about ourselves that we need to know.' Anhalt adds: 'Curiosity is welcoming and even asking for information. If you can tolerate difficult feedback, you will learn, and be better as a result.' She says many entrepreneurs believe that a lack of curiosity (ignoring 'the haters') helped them to succeed. However, Anhalt reminds us that 'the way other people perceive us is important, and if we're not willing to look at that, and adjust ourselves at least some of the time, our relationships won't be as strong'. Terrifyingly, she suggests asking friends for feedback. I venture that her earnest phrasing on what one could do 10 per cent better, and saying 'thank you for helping me be my best self' is un-British. We settle on 'Be honest — is there anything I do that annoys you?' ('More blunt. That's great,' Anhalt says.) Be routinely curious about yourself. It might feel unacceptable to be angry at your boss, so you might channel that anger somewhere else, Anhalt says, and maybe snap at your kids without realising. Ideally, you might ask, 'Where else might this feeling belong?' But isn't such behaviour unconscious? She replies: 'You're describing exactly why an ongoing mental fitness practice is so important.' So take a little time daily to reflect and internal curiosity becomes a reflex. Self-awareness is tough (the emotional equivalent of a split squat) Anhalt says: 'Often, people feel that life is happening to them, and they are not really in control.' She adds, 'Self-awareness is the realisation that you have a lot more agency than you're giving yourself credit for.' She claims that taking responsibility can actually be 'scary but energising'. Self-awareness is the ability to understand your personality traits, triggers, biases, strengths and struggles. And the more you can understand and identify, 'the more capable you will be of understanding and identifying other people's feelings'. Knowing yourself is powerful because then you 'understand the role you are playing in your relationships and in life'. Still, introspection is tough. Anhalt cites a study that found that most people would prefer an electric shock to sitting with their thoughts. But she claims that if we can put words to what's happening inside our mind and our heart, people are much more likely to be able to support and understand us. She explains: 'If you said to your partner, 'I'm angry at you,' that's helpful, but try switching instead to 'I feel lonely in our conversations sometimes' — isn't that a much more powerful and clear communication? You are sharing a more accurate map of how to get to what you need.' Resilience is about adaptability not strength Anhalt describes an entrepreneur whose company collapsed. He moved straight onto his next project, likening it to 'returning to the gym too quickly after an injury'. He hadn't grieved his loss, and remained full of stress, pain and resentment, which negatively affected his decision-making. 'This idea that being resilient means putting your head down and pushing forward no matter what is an unrealistic way of navigating life,' Anhalt says. 'In my mind, resilience is actually about letting yourself acknowledge and feel the difficulties of life — and the moments of beauty and joy.' Anhalt defines resilience as 'bouncing forward through setbacks and failures instead of bouncing back', adding that rather than trying to erase or deny a bad experience and getting back to where we were, we can use these difficulties as learning opportunities. She describes this as 'going forward with an accurate view'. For example, if we don't acknowledge the pain of a relationship breakup, we carry it with us to our next relationship. Some dreadful experiences are those we just survive, Anhalt says. 'I still believe that resilience means acknowledging it was really hard rather than trying to deny the impact.' Flex your empathy muscle Some people intellectually understand another's upset, but aren't willing or able to feel their emotion. That's sympathy. Empathy is superior emotion. 'It's just a completely different experience,' Anhalt says, adding that with empathy, the other person feels far more supported and understood. 'There's a reason that when we go through something really tough, what can often be the most helpful is to find people who've been through a similar thing.' She adds: 'By feeling less alone in an emotion, it becomes more tolerable.' Empathy also makes you a more effective manager. Anhalt cites a study that found that if bosses were empathetic, 86 per cent of employees would feel more able to handle work pressures. If you're finding it hard to drum up empathy for someone, knowing — even imagining — that there's context to their behaviour can give you a boost. Empathy allows you to move through life more peacefully because you don't take everything personally. And do extend empathy to yourself, Anhalt says. 'It will never work to hate yourself into a better version of who you are.' • Can you teach empathy? As a psychotherapist I'd say yes Rest and be more playful Being playful — to be creative, to do it for fun, not to 'win' — reflects good emotional fitness. It's the opposite of rigidity, and critical to our social, emotional and cognitive development. But child or adult, you have to feel safe to play, Anhalt says. 'Play means you are leaving a protective stance and moving towards a collaborative stance.' Often, a hallmark of a healthy relationship is a playful relationship. If your boss indicates that your job is on the line, or your partner is volatile, you won't feel playful. Instead, you'll toe the line — you won't dare suggest anything new or different. 'Innovation is a direct result of playfulness,' she says. Communicating is a 'heavy lift' — but it might save your (sex) life According to Anhalt, communicating well prevents small problems from ballooning. While it involves sharing your feelings, needs and expectations with thoughtfulness and accuracy, she reminds us that you must 'listen as much as you speak'. And ask plenty of questions. Being a skilled communicator enables you to work through conflict collaboratively and repair the relationship after it. 'Let's say you are feeling unsatisfied with your sex life,' Anhalt says. 'But you don't want to say anything to your partner because that would lead to an uncomfortable conversation. A year later, resentment has built. And now you're so unhappy it feels like the only option is to end the relationship or to have an affair.' Rewind. 'You tell your partner, 'I know this is uncomfortable, but I'd really love for some things to be different about our sex life. Can we think together about what needs to change? Can I share what I'm not satisfied with and what would feel better?'' This could transform your love life (Note: all seven traits might be required for this to happen.) Communication — or the lack of it — might be the difference between a satisfying relationship and no relationship. Anhalt says conflict to a relationship is as exercise to a muscle. 'When we exercise we are damaging our muscle, but when we repair, it heals stronger than it was before,' she says. 'Similarly, relationships that are not afraid of conflict and also repair that conflict — those will be stronger relationships.' Thriving or just survivng? Take the test To help you gauge where you are in terms of your emotional fitness, take this simple quiz. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 meaning this is a huge struggle for me and 5 meaning this is a huge strength for me), how emotionally fit do you feel in each of the seven traits? Let's take each trait one by one.
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Cardiologist warns there's one food you should 'never' eat if you have high cholesterol
High cholesterol affects millions of Americans everday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25 million adults in the US have cholesterol that's considered high, and about 86 million US adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels considered "borderline high." Particular groups may face a heightened risk of developing high cholesterol, notably men over 50, post-menopausal women, and those of South Asian or sub-Saharan African descent. However, lifestyle factors like obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption also contribute to soaring cholesterol levels. Yet, there's light at the end of the tunnel for managing these concerning cholesterol levels. Healthier eating habits and increased physical activity can help rein in the cholesterol issue . Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles 'Hideous' Trump hangs new self-portrait in White House next to his greatest political rival It's serious business as high cholesterol can obstruct blood vessels, raising the risk of heart problems or even a stroke, reports the Irish Mirror . Cardiologist Dr Romit Bhattacharya from Mass General Brigham provided insights on high-fat dairy products: "When we're eating full-fat dairy and meat, we're ingesting a whole lot of dietary cholesterol-particularly saturated fat, which has consistently proven to increase cholesterol levels." He points out that these rich foods are appropriate for "growing infants who need cholesterol and fat in their diet to build their brains, their nerves, their bodies". Dr Bhattacharya has served up a key piece of advice when it comes to managing high cholesterol, emphasizing that "message number one" is to cut down saturated fat intake to under 10 percent of your total daily calories. He pointed the finger at red meat, baked treats, fried eats, and full-fat dairy indulgences like cream, butter, and whole milk as the main culprits, alongside a cautionary note on excessive palm or coconut oil use. But cutting out full fat dairy products isn't necessarily a good thing (Image: Getty) However, there's a silver lining according to Dr Bhattacharya, who notes: "Plants basically don't make cholesterol. So, if you're worried about cholesterol, eating plants is going to help. And among plants, high fiber content is important. It cleans out your gut, it allows you to detoxify, it feeds your gut microbiome in a healthy way, and it can help prevent cholesterol from absorbing into your bloodstream." For those aiming to keep cholesterol numbers in check, he advocates for gobbling down spinach and other green veggies, fiber-packed foods, wholesome grains like oats or brown rice, various fruits and berries, nuts such as walnuts or almonds, and lean, oily fish varieties. Sticking to a steady routine is crucial, warns Dr Bhattacharya, as he dismisses quick-fix fad diets that don't stand the test of time. He points out: "Fad diets don't work as well. They can get you down briefly, but then-boom-you're back up. Maintaining healthy cholesterol is really about consistency of effort," and adds that even a moderate commitment can go a long way. "If you're doing 80% of the right things 80 per cent of the time, that's a great start." The NHS advises that if you've never had a cholesterol test, are over 40, overweight, or have a family history of high cholesterol and heart problems, it's time to have a chat with your GP. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
