CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Smoke from the Canadian wildfires means today is air pollution action day.
The Environmental Protection Agency's AQI (Air Quality Index) for downtown Chicago, as of 6 a.m., stood at an unhealthy level. It ultimately will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, the EPA says.
The City of Chicago recommends people limit their time outdoors while we're experiencing elevated levels of particulate matter in the air. That suggestion is aimed at kids, teens, seniors, pregnant women and people with heart or lung issues.
This marks the third stretch in less than a month that the area has experienced poor air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke. The Air Pollution Action Day also comes at the same time the Chicago area will begin to experience a heat wave, with the high temperatures in the 90s and oppressive humidity expected through Friday.
The smoke from the wildfires made the air quality in Chicago “very unhealthy” June 27-28. On June 27, Chicago had the worst air quality among big cities in the world.
The Illinois EPA action day declaration took effect Monday night. Mayor Johnson's administration encourages sensitive people to wear masks, avoid strenuous activity, run air purifiers and close windows.
Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
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