An air quality alert was in effect for most of the Chicago area Thursday due to wildfire smoke moving into the region from Canada.
Parts of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana were issued the alert, which is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
The drop in air quality is due to wildfire smoke and unhealthy ozone pollutants, the weather service said. The area had previously been under an air quality alert for conditions unrelated to the wildfire smoke.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency triggered an Air Pollution Action Day and individuals were urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity and take more frequent breaks.
The Air Pollution Action Day alert is triggered when air pollution levels reach the “orange” or “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category on the national Air Quality Index.
Air-quality levels between 101 and 150 are unhealthy for sensitive groups like those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, babies, children and the elderly. Air-quality levels below 100 are considered healthy. Chicago’s Air Quality Index for Thursday reached 179, according to AccuWeather.
Canadian wildfire smoke has had a lingering effect on the Chicago area’s air quality over the last three years, including last June when the city’s air ranked among the worst in the world due to the smoke.
The fires in Canada are creating smoke carrying fine particle pollution known as particulate matter, which can be harmful to anyone’s respiratory system. The fine particles lodge deep into the lungs and are particularly bad for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
A map of city air monitors installed last year shows a large swath of “very unhealthy” air quality covering northern neighborhoods Rogers Park and Edgewater all the way down to South Chicago and Hegewisch.
The map of almost 300 locations indicates the entire city has either “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” air Thursday morning.
The Chicago Department of Public Health, which oversees the map, suggests staying indoors as much as possible and advises to keep windows and doors closed.
The hazy smoke, which also carries a noticeable scent, has moved into the region from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
The hazy smoke, which also carries a noticeable scent, has moved into the region from Canada. The alert is in effect until midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
