Burlington, Toronto among the worst for air quality worldwide from wildfire smoke

Burlington has the worst air quality in the country on Monday compared with other Canadian cities according to the World Air Quality Index.

When compared to all major cities in the world, Toronto sits at around second place for worst air quality, following Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The poor air quality is due to wildfire smoke coming from western Ontario, Manitoba and the prairies.

This follows after Ontario went through waves of excessive heat and humidity through June and July, which made this summer a tough one for a lot of people.

Now residents are in for a period of air quality that could be dangerous enough to keep people feeling trapped in their homes.

Environment Canada recommends limiting time outdoors, closing windows as much as possible and wearing a mask outdoors.

“From Windsor to Wawa, from Sarnia up to Ottawa – it’s really been under the same kind of hazy sky,” said Dave Phillips, a climatologist with Environment Canada.

The weather agency says mild symptoms may include an irritated throat, eyes, headaches and a mild cough.

“The air quality issue is going to be with us for the rest of the summer, so we’re going to have to live with that,” said Phillips. “Now the winds do blow different directions, so it can clear up the smoke on one day and bring it back the next day.”

Health experts say a big part of the problem is that toxic chemicals in the smoke contain particles small enough to get into the lungs, and into the bloodstream.

“So you may feel it in your nose, throat, or even eyes’ mucous membranes,” said Dr. Kevan Mehta, a McMaster Pediatric Respirologist. “The small particles, when they go deep into the lungs, cause an inflammation response that causes difficulty breathing, and connects with asthma and other lung diseases.”

More severe symptoms would include wheezing, chest pains and a severe cough. Medical attention is recommended if an individual believes they are having a medical emergency.

Experts also say to avoid the smoke and to exercise indoors, and to plan activities families can do with children inside until they go back to school.

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