Hazy skies from wildfire smoke are blanketing Toronto. Here's what you should know
CBC
Smoky skies have blanketed Toronto for several days as air quality conditions continue to deteriorate and prompt advisories for residents to limit their time outdoors.
The smoke plumes drifting from large swaths of Quebec and northeastern Ontario have sent air quality plummeting to unhealthy levels with high pollution reported in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) since Monday.
That's caused concern from both experts and residents as experts say climate change is only intensifying forest fires.
But how do the fires specifically affect Canada's largest city and what should residents do to mitigate the health risks? When will this be over and how frequently is this forecast to happen?
Here's what you should know.
On any given day, Toronto usually sits at around three out of 10 on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which measures air quality based on how it will impact health.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Environment Canada said the air quality in Toronto reached a seven. The risk will drop overnight, however, the federal agency says smoke density is expected to increase Thursday with air quality expected to reach nine by the afternoon.
Experts say high levels of exposure to the fine particulate matter emitted from wildfires — which can lead to eye, throat and nose irritation — can also increase the risk of lung and heart disease.
Environment Canada says those with lung disease, such as asthma, people with heart disease, older people, children, pregnant people and those who work outside are at higher risk of experiencing negative health impacts.
Doctors have previously suggested fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) — a pollutant emitted from anything burning — can exacerbate asthma, lung and heart disease.
Respirologist and associate professor at the University of Toronto's department of medicine Dr. Samir Gupta says that's reason to worry.
"We really should be concerned," Gupta said.
WATCH | Haze blankets Toronto:
Gupta said the air quality is the "worst" that southern Ontario has ever seen.
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