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*** UPDATED x1 *** Chicago’s air quality is worst in world because of Canadian wildfires

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* Sun-Times…

How bad is the air quality in Chicago today?

It’s the worst anywhere on the planet, according to the World Air Quality Index. That’s right — worse than the biggest, most polluted cities in India and China. Minneapolis was ranked second; Detroit fifth.

Airquality.gov, which uses the official U.S. Air Quality Index, listed Chicago as “unhealthy” as of 9 a.m. Chicago time. […]

“Definitely people with respiratory issues should definitely limit their time outdoors today and try to maintain themselves indoors if at all possible,” said Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

* Map from yesterday…

* NWS Chicago…

* Block Club Chicago…

The problem is predicted to last through the day Tuesday.

Chicago Public Schools said in an email to families Tuesday it would move its summer programs indoors “to reduce the risk to students and staff.”

The American Lung Association and Mount Sinai Health System shared the following tips for those looking to limit exposure to unhealthy air:

Avoid exercising outdoors and stay inside with windows closed an air conditioning on if possible.
Walk, bike or carpool. Combine trips. Use buses, subways, commuter trains or other alternatives to driving your car.

Don’t smoke.

If you must be outside, consider wearing an N95 or KN95 mask. Surgical masks will not be helpful with air pollution, according to Mount Sinai Health.

* Reuters…

Wildfires burning through large swathes of eastern and western Canada have released a record 160 million tonnes of carbon, the EU’s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service said on Tuesday.

This year’s wildfire season is the worst on record in Canada, with some 76,000 square kilometres (29,000 square miles) burning across eastern and western Canada. That’s greater than the combined area burned in 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2022, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

As of June 26, the annual emissions from the fires are now the largest for Canada since satellite monitoring began in 2003, surpassing 2014 at 140 million tonnes.

* Adriana Pérez…

* Paris Schultz of WTTW…

* More from Twitter…

* ABC Chicago…

ABC7 Meteorologist Tracy Butler said it will remain hazy throughout the day.

With the poor air quality, AirNow.gov recommends people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens to reduce exposure by:

-Avoiding strenuous outdoor activities

-Keeping outdoor activities short.

-Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

* Milwaukee is in second place…

Early Tuesday morning, the city at one point moved into the “very unhealthy” category for everyone with an Air Quality Index of 248 (purple zone) as smoke from Canadian wildfires is blanketing the state, making the skies hazy.

Milwaukee’s air quality reached the “very unhealthy” level for the first time in a spring and summer that is being defined by deteriorating air quality. Other parts of Wisconsin remain in the “unhealthy” category as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. […]

Milwaukee’s air quality is the second worst in the country and the world as defined by IQAir.com.

…Adding… Chicago Mayor Johnson…

“The City of Chicago is carefully monitoring and taking precautions as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has categorized our Air Quality Index as “unhealthy” due to Canadian wildfire smoke present in the Chicago region. We recommend children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease,and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors.

For additional precautions, all Chicagoans may also consider wearing masks, limiting their outdoor exposure, moving activities indoors, running air purifiers, and closing windows. As these unsafe conditions continue, the City will continue to provide updates and take swift action to ensure that vulnerable individuals have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families. Anyone who needs immediate medical attention should dial 911.

This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City, Washington DC, Montreal, and today here in Chicago. As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world.

We must take drastic action to mitigate these threats and ensure that every Chicagoan in every neighborhood has the resources and protection they need to thrive. Please visit airnow.gov for information on the latest air quality in Chicago.”

*** UPDATE *** More from the city…

Smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to impact air quality in Chicago, which was rated as “very unhealthy” beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) air monitors. By midday, the IEPA issued an Air Quality Alert in effect until midnight on Wednesday, with recommendations that all Chicagoans – and particularly sensitive populations, including individuals with heart or lung disease, older adults, pregnant people, and young children – avoid outdoor activities and take precautions to protect themselves from exposure.

The City initiated a comprehensive response, including outreach to vulnerable populations and special precautions such as moving Chicago Park District camps, Chicago Public Schools and other activities indoors where possible. For Chicagoans without access to properly ventilated and safe indoor conditions, please utilize our public libraries, senior centers, Park District facilities, and the Cultural Center or the six community service centers that operate from 9am-5pm:

• Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street 
• Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (24 Hours) 
• King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove  
• North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.  
• South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.  
• Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave. 

These facilities are open to the public for respite.  Other critical actions being taken by the City today in response to the air quality conditions include: 

• Urging the private sector, members of the public, and City departments to delay, reduce, and/or halt outdoor activities wherever possible. 
• Alerting Chicago Housing Authority, delegate agency clients, Department of Family and Support Services Seniors, and Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities clients of the air quality situation and providing helpful safety information. 
• Urging the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly for sensitive populations. 
• Making PPE available to vulnerable residents through our street outreach teams. 
• Urging employers to allow telecommuting where possible. 
• Urging the public and City departments to limit automobile use and refueling. 
• Providing 3-1-1 with helpful air quality safety information. 
• Utilizing the City’s broad communication network, including digital assets, to share information with the public. 
• Monitoring 9-1-1 call volume and hospital visits for respiratory related health emergencies. 
For the duration of the Air Quality Alert, all individuals, and particularly sensitive populations should:
• Avoid spending time outdoors. If you must go outside, keep outdoor activity short and wear a KN95 or N95 mask while outside. 
• Stay indoors and keep your indoor air as clean as possible by not smoking, using candles, or vacuuming. 
• Follow your doctor’s advice if you have asthma, lung or cardiovascular disease. Some symptoms of breathing smoke include wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing. If your symptoms worsen, call your physician or 911. 
• Keep windows and doors closed and turn on your air conditioner if you have one. Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and your home is too warm. 
• Use an air filter if you have one. 
• Limit driving a vehicle if possible.  
• Stay tuned to local news media advisories.   

To learn more about air quality in our area and monitor for updates from the U.S. EPA, visit www.AirNow.gov.  Residents can also sign up to receive NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org or download the Chicago OEMC App through the Apple App or Google play stores for public safety tips and alerts.  

* Related…

* Tribune | NASCAR in Chicago: On top of a stretch of wildfire smoke, how will 40 cars racing around downtown at speeds over 100 mph affect air quality?: Evanston resident and retired mechanical engineer Fred Wittenberg said he is apprehensive about how race cars will contribute to air pollution in the city, especially if temperatures are hot and the air is stagnant — conditions that the city has been experiencing over the past month and ones that contribute to ozone and particle pollution.

posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:01 am

Comments

1. It is not the worst in the world. Look at the very maps you linked to. There are several spots in Michigan and Indiana that are much worse than Chicago. Maybe you could say it’s the worst city with a population over 250,000 or something. But it’s literally not the worst in the world, clickbait headlines aside.

   Comment by Terracotta Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:08 am

2. One of the best investments I ever made was an indoor HEPA filter. I bought it a few years ago after one of the local towns worked with the rail company to allow them to idle their trains right next to a residential area. An average week has idling trains 6 out of 7 days, 24 hours a day. Thankfully, I don’t live in the area right next to where the trains are idling(it backs right up to the lot line of houses), but I live close enough that on the rare times the wind comes from that direction I have to close up the house.

   The homes right next to it are becoming coated in soot.

   Days like this where the pollution is coming from somewhere else really make the filter worth it. My indoor pollution is at about 6ppm for 2.5um. Which is comfortably in the green.

   Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:10 am

3. I can’t imagine the pollution from 40 cars racing outweighs the normal pollution of 400,000 cars on the road during rush hour.

   Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:14 am

4. use of AC units confusing, filtering air or not? affecting throat. this looks awful.

   Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:23 am

5. @Terracotta, I could be misreading the maps and information, but I think the map you see is the smoke map, not an air pollution map. So if I have that right, it is possible that Chicago has the worst air pollution despite not being in the worst smoke spot since we have such a large population and the polluting factors that come with it. Don’t know for certain, just thinking out loud.

   Comment by Blitz Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:27 am

6. There is a lesson to be learned by the climate deniers, the America firsters and the anti-public health crowd. We don’t live in a safe bubble that protects us from the world’s problems. Our lives will always be affected by events outside of our country despite a desire to stick the proverbial head in the sand.

   Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:33 am

7. Airnow.gov for your zip code

   Comment by Very old soil Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:40 am

8. i love how canada’s inability to practice forest management is our problem. another reason to blame canada

   Comment by MaddyMoon Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:45 am

9. @cermak_rd: there are tons and tons of studies that show how terrible pollution is for those living and working near highways, and how it impacts nearly every aspect of life. You are absolutely right, that massive amounts of cars moving through populated areas is a known and preventable cause of lots of health issues (and consequently economic issues as well).

   This is all of course the result of policy choices that the US and Canada in particular seem incapable of changing their minds on. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the NYC congestion pricing works out, and I’d love to see Chicago go that route as well.

   US government(s) massively subsidize auto use, despite it being one of the least efficient, most polluting, and and generally most lethal forms of transportation, especially within cities.

   We could just… not do that.

   Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:45 am

10. Having grown up in Gary in the mid 50’s to the early 70’s I am having flashbacks.

    Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 11:52 am

11. Wind steady out of the N/NE….all summer long…..and into the near future.
    Never seen anything like this.

    Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 12:02 pm

12. Forty cars in the NASCAR race make zero difference. In fact, as it relates to pollution, probably an upgrade from the thousands of passenger cars on a normal day/week.

    Comment by Um, No Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 12:23 pm

13. Gets used to it everyone, it’s going to keep happening and more often as well each year. People will claim it has nothing to do with the climate change but the simple truth is thanks to carbon emissions it’s hotter on average which creates more frequent conditions for fires to start. Does forest management play a part, sure, but climate change is the reason why you now have no room for error in forest management.

    Get behind reducing carbon emissions nationwide and personally people if you want this to stop, if not enjoy breathing what we sow.

    Comment by ClimateChangeisReal Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 12:35 pm

14. Today my wife & I were going to drive up to Door County to visit friends from college. That’s now been postponed.

    Comment by Retired SURS Employee Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 12:45 pm

15. The air tastes so bad. I’ve been coughing on calls all day and my eyes are very irritated. Also running the A/C when it’s only 72 degrees outside means my house is absolutely freezing.

    Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:01 pm

16. Don’t get rid of those COVID masks just yet. /s

    Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:25 pm

17. Gives new meaning to the phrase, America First.

    I was in Springfield this morning and it was super hazy. No escaping.

    I feel sad for the people, wildlife and forests of Canada. It’ll never be the same

    Comment by Sir Reel Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:43 pm

18. This is the worst I’ve ever experienced.

    Comment by The Truth Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:55 pm

19. The problem here is global warming and us continuing to make it worse by burning fossil fuels and adding to an already huge threat. We are collectively making it worse every day, so expect to see an increase in frequency and size of these ‘once in a lifetime’ events. Only real long term solution is to require manufacturers to sell more electric cars and trucks here in Illinois. The Governor could lead on making that happen (like other governors have) if he so chose. We would get cleaner air locally and start reducing #1 source of greenhouse gases in IL. With CEJA, the electricity going into vehicles will also get cleaner every year. First rule of holes is - stop digging.

    Comment by thrudasmog Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:58 pm

20. I would like to see some enterprising journalist compare the wildfire contamination of Chicago’s air to the city’s air pollution in my youth in the 60s. It’s just a guess but it seems to me things were much worse back then.

    Comment by Roadkill Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 1:58 pm

21. In our neighbor state of Indiana, BP refinery to pay $40 million in fines due to pollution. Also, $250 million in penalties for violations at the Whiting refinery.

    Swimming in the lake when we were kids resulted in our suits covered in oily residue from discharges poured into Lake Michigan. Not much has changed over decades.

    Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:01 pm

22. will they cancel cubs game you think? Got tix but not even sure if i wanna go even if it’s on.

    Some CapFax insider please let me know if they will or won’t cancel lol

    Comment by lyle laney Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:03 pm

23. Been overcast all day, just thought it was going to rain then I see news stories regarding air quality.

    Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:15 pm

24. I noticed the haze here in Springfield on Veteran’s Parkway about 11am today. There was also a smokey smell.

    Comment by Finally Out Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:25 pm

25. Looks smokey in Peoria, too
    https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/local/2022/02/22/peoria-live-camera-mcclugage-bridge-traffic-over-illinois-river/6893296001/

    Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:31 pm

26. Its too late. This is going to be the norm now:

    “The effects of human-caused global warming are happening now, are irreversible for people alive today, and will worsen as long as humans add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.”

    https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

    Comment by Hannibal Lecter Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 2:40 pm

27. Proofreading police here - “Schutz” not Schultz. I don’t know Mr. Schutz but he might be sensitive about that.

    Comment by Lefty Lefty Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 3:11 pm

28. ===will they cancel cubs game you think===

    I have no inside knowledge, but I think they’ll play. The Sox-Yankees game had major visibility problems. New York airports shut down because of poor visibility. I just came downtown from the northside and it’s hazy, but not all like the photos of NYC.

    I’d say they’ll play tonight.

    Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 4:01 pm

29. I’m thinking of becoming a registered Republican. That way climate change won’t be real and we can keep burning coal and drilling and making America energy independent like it was during Trump’s term.

    Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 4:05 pm

30. Wildfires never happened before there were furnaces, gas stoves, private jets, and combustible engine cars. Never.

    Comment by Trap Tuesday, Jun 27, 23 @ 10:53 pm

31. ===Wildfires never happened before there were furnaces, gas stoves===

    The adults are talking. Facebook is down the dial.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 28, 23 @ 5:45 am

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