ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ skies were some of the most polluted in the world Thursday as smoke from the Prairies wildfires lingered throughout the city.
, a Swiss air technology company, marked ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ with the fourth worst air quality among major worldwide cities in the morning.
The city had dipped to 10th place by 12:30 p.m., ahead of Kolkata and Dubai, withÌýKinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in first place.ÌýBy 2 p.m., ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ had improved into 13th place.
The air quality was also considered to be “moderate”Ìý— down from IQAir’s earlier designation of “unhealthy for sensitive groups”Ìý— by early afternoon.
Residents have been battling the haze most of the week
IQAir warns that skies are filled with PM2.5, a pollutant made up of things like smoke, soot, mould, bacteria or animal dander that are commonly found in wildfire smoke. Experts say the particles are distinctly dangerous because they are so small, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, that they get absorbed into your bloodstream when you breathe.Ìý
On Thursday morning,ÌýÎÚÑ»´«Ã½’s PM2.5 concentration climbed toÌýmore than seven and a half times more than the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Areas around Greenwood and Danforth, The Beaches and the Annex are getting the worst of it, according to IQAir’s recording stations.Ìý
Anyone with heart and lung conditions is urged to consider rescheduling their outdoor activities and recommends that the general population should watch out for symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat.
The government agency suggests the air quality will stay at “moderate risk” levels until at least Friday night.
Oakville, Kitchener, Burlington, and Uxbridge had the worst air quality in the province Thursday morning with their air also being choked by wildfire smoke, according IQAir. Those municipalities are on similar timelines as ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ with conditions expected to improve throughout the day Thursday.Ìý
How will conditions affect me?
The smoke might provoke mild symptoms, including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, Environment Canada said.
Wheezing, chest pains and severe coughing is indicative of more serious symptoms and suggest you should head inside, the agency added, noting anyone having a medical emergency should seek immediate help.
If you want to keep the smoke out of your home you should shut the windows and doors or try using air filters and ventilation systems to combat the pollutants.
You can reduce your exposure to fine particles in the outdoor smoke by wearing a well-fitting, respirator-type mask, like a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator, the agency said.
Environment Canada forecast
As the smoke floats around the city, clouds are hovering above ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ on Thursday with a high of 27 C that feels like 33 with humidity. The UV index is a “very high” 8Ìýwith winds reaching 20 hm/hour in the afternoon. Temperatures will dip to a low of 20 C at night.Ìý
The week willÌýcapÌýoff with a mostly sunny Friday and a high of 30ÌýC that feels like a sticky 36 with humidity. Clouds will roll in by nighttime and bring a low ofÌý30 per cent chance of showers with a low ofÌý20ÌýC.
Sun will peek through the clouds on Saturday with temperatures reaching 31 C before they drop to a low of 21 C at night.
Sunday will stay warm with a high of 32 C as the night brings a mix of sun and clouds with a 30 per cent chance of showers. Nighttime temperatures fall to 21 C.Ìý
With files from Elissa Mendes
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