CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Smoke from the Canadian wildfires made Chicago's air quality among the worst in the world on Tuesday, according to the World Air Quality Index.
Dr. Nimmi Rajagopal, the associate chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) at Cook County Health, said the smoke and haze could be dangerous for those with certain lung conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or any recent lung infection including from COVID or RSV.
“There are these small particles in the air — so, it's debris,” she said. “It's smoke. It's pollution.”
Rajagopal said the tiny particles in the air don’t cause a problem for most.
“But for those [who] might already have some lung issues … these particles embed in the lining of the lungs, and they cause irritation and inflammation,” she said.
Her recommendations: Monitor air quality via websites like airnow.gov, and stay inside if possible. If you have to go outside, Rajagopal said it’s best to limit your time and wear an N95 mask.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement on Tuesday, in which he recommended that children, teens, seniors, and those who are pregnant — in addition to people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions — should avoid strenuous activities and limit time outside.
“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,” Johnson said.
Chicago wasn’t alone in the Midwest when it came to poor air quality on Tuesday. In Michigan, the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued an air quality alert for the entire state.
Some day care centers in the Chicago area have told parents that their children will remain indoors Tuesday due to the poor air quality, while one youth sports club says it adjusted its activities to add more time indoors.
“Just driving into the zoo ... you could just see around the buildings, kind of just haze," said Shelly Woinowski, who was visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Earlier this month, massive fires burning stretches of Canadian forests blanketed the northeastern United States and the Great Lakes region, turning the air yellowish gray, and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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