Air Quality Alert Issued Throughout Chicago Area

Introduction to the Air Quality Alert

An air quality alert was issued for the Chicago area Thursday due to Canadian wildfire smoke in the region. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an “Air Pollution Action Day” for the Chicago Metropolitan area Thursday that is in effect until midnight due to elevated particle pollution, according to a state press release.

Affected Areas

Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, Lake, McHenry and Will counties were all included in the action day, officials said. In Illinois, a Chicago Air Pollution Action Day is issued when air quality is forecasted to be at or above the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category — or a level two on a scale of six — for two or more consecutive days for Chicago Metropolitan area.

Air Quality Rankings

Some areas in the city had air quality ranking at level three, or unhealthy for everyone, according to AirNow.gov. Symptoms for sensitive individuals to look out for include wheezing, coughing, a fast heartbeat, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath, the press release said. If symptoms worsen, call 911 or call a physician.

Precautions and Recommendations

Chicagoans are encouraged to limit driving, conserve energy, use environmentally friendly household and cleaning products and avoid gasoline-powered equipment. “It’s probably a good idea to limit time outside,” Kevin Doom, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said. “Doing a lot of heavy breathing is probably not ideal on a day like today.”

Cause of Poor Air Quality

Northern winds blew smoke from wildfires in central Canada down to Chicago over the last several days causing the poor air quality, though conditions are expected to improve over the next few days, according to the weather service. “The smoke should be starting to thin out a little bit now that the winds kind of changed direction,” Doom said.

Conclusion

The air quality alert issued for the Chicago area due to Canadian wildfire smoke is a significant concern for residents, particularly those with sensitive health conditions. By taking precautions and following recommendations, individuals can minimize their exposure to poor air quality and reduce their risk of adverse health effects.

FAQs

1. What is the current air quality ranking in Chicago?
   The air quality ranking in some areas of Chicago is at level three, or unhealthy for everyone, according to AirNow.gov.
2. What symptoms should sensitive individuals look out for?
   Sensitive individuals should look out for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, a fast heartbeat, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
3. What precautions can Chicagoans take to minimize exposure to poor air quality?
   Chicagoans can limit driving, conserve energy, use environmentally friendly household and cleaning products, and avoid gasoline-powered equipment to minimize exposure to poor air quality.
4. When is the air quality expected to improve?
   The air quality is expected to improve over the next few days, according to the National Weather Service.
5. What should individuals do if their symptoms worsen?
   If symptoms worsen, individuals should call 911 or call a physician.