As raging wildfires continue to spread across Canada, millions of individuals residing in North America have been issued air quality warnings due to hazardous conditions.
Smoke covered extensive regions of Ontario and Quebec, and a hazy orange shade appeared across a significant portion of the northeastern United States from Tuesday through Wednesday.
During the night, air quality in certain cities such as Toronto and New York was briefly the poorest in the world.
A large portion of the smoke is originating from Quebec due to the presence of 160 active fires in the region.
Officials from Canada have stated that the country is currently experiencing the most severe wildfire season on record.
Professionals have identified a higher temperature and less precipitation during the spring season as the cause for the pattern. These circumstances are expected to persist during the upcoming summer.
On Tuesday, Environment Canada issued a warning about air quality in Ottawa, stating that it poses a "very high risk" to people’s health. This is the most severe warning that has been issued.
The air quality in Toronto and its neighboring regions was identified as posing a significant risk to health.
The air quality in a large portion of the north-east of the United States has been labeled as "unhealthy" by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with special caution advised for individuals who already have respiratory problems.
It is believed that about 100 million individuals throughout North America are currently receiving some type of air quality advisory.
The skyline of New York was covered with a layer of orange haze, which also obscured famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty.
Mayor Eric Adams has announced that all outdoor activities held at the public schools in the city have been put on hold without any fixed date for resumption. He has alerted the public about the possibility of the situation getting worse as the
He advised that it would be best for New Yorkers to minimize their outdoor activities as much as they can.
People living in the city mentioned that the odour of smoke resembled that of a bonfire on Wednesday morning.
The air quality levels in the Washington DC region were marked as "code red" on Wednesday morning. In addition, Detroit was ranked fifth on IQAir’s list of the most polluted locations globally.
Experts in public health have advised individuals to refrain from outdoor physical activity and to reduce their contact with the smoke as much as feasible due to the risks it poses to both immediate and long-term health.
The poor air quality has caused a region in Quebec, specifically the Atikamekw community of Opitciwan, which is located 350km (217 miles) north of Montreal, to relocate individuals with asthma and other respiratory problems away from the smoke.
The widespread fires in Canada have already destroyed over 3.3 million hectares of land, which is 12 times more than the usual 10-year average for this season.
Numerous individuals have been forced to leave their homes and move to safer locations
Besides Quebec, there have been significant wildfires in provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.
The probability of wildfires is higher due to climate change, as it intensifies the possibility of hot and dry weather conditions.
Since the start of the industrial era, the Earth has experienced a temperature increase of approximately 1.2C. If governments across the globe do not implement significant reductions in emissions, temperatures will continue to rise.
What are the health effects of inhaling smoke from wildfires? According to experts, exposure to such smoke can lead to a host of health problems.
According to Matthew Adams, a professor at the University of Toronto who heads its Centre of Urban Environments, breathing in smoke from a wildfire can result in immediate symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a faster heartbeat, chest discomfort, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
According to Professor Adams who spoke to the BBC, there is a higher likelihood of hospital visits on days when air pollution levels are elevated. The individuals who tend to visit the hospital during such times usually have an existing respiratory illness.
According to Professor Adams, individuals residing in regions that encounter frequent forest fires may face severe and prolonged health complications, such as cancer or lung disease, due to the smoke caused by the wildfires.
According to him, the smoke haze contains tiny particles that can get into the human body’s bloodstream and other organs, leading to potential changes in DNA and other health complications.
According to Professor Adams, research has indicated that pregnant women and their fetuses can be affected by being exposed to wildfire smoke for extended periods of time.
Prof Adams suggested that people residing in cities that are distant from the fires but are currently under air advisories should restrict their outdoor activities to prevent inhaling the smoke caused by the wildfires.
He advised to not worry too much and instead, stay indoors to minimize the risk of exposure.
Prof Adams suggested that people residing near the fires should wear an N95 mask while being outdoors to avoid inhaling a significant amount of smoke particles.
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