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Due to poor air quality caused by Canada’s raging wildfires, millions across North America have been recommended wearing N95 masks outdoors.
Much of the smoke comes from Quebec, where 150 fires are raging. More than 15,000 residents are expected to evacuate the province, officials said Wednesday. It’s already the worst fire season in Quebec on record.
In the United States, New York will begin distributing free masks this Thursday (Aug. 6). Canada has said people must wear a mask if they can’t stay indoors.
Authorities warn that dangerous smog conditions are likely to persist through the weekend.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state would distribute one million masks to residents on Thursday.
“This is a temporary situation. It’s not Covid,” she said at a news conference. The governor added that New York City buses and trains have high quality air filtration systems.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified air quality in much of the country’s northeast as “unhealthy,” especially for people with breathing problems.
In New York, an orange haze blanketed the city skyline, shrouding historic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and more.
“We encourage all New Yorkers to limit outdoor activities as much as possible,” Mayor Eric Adams warned Wednesday.
Experts say exposure to wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems.
Matthew Adams, a University of Toronto professor and director of the Center for Urban Environments, said immediate effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chest pain, or inflammation in the eyes, nose and throat.
“In these days of high air pollution, we will see an increase in hospital visits,” Professor Adams told the BBC. “And people who come to the hospital often have a preexisting respiratory condition.”
Smoke from bushfires is also linked to serious, longterm health problems like cancer or lung disease, Professor Adams said, particularly for people living in areas where bushfires are common.
This is caused by tiny particles in the smoke screen getting into the bloodstream and other parts of the human body, potentially causing DNA mutations and other health problems.
Some studies have also shown that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can affect pregnant women and fetuses, Adams added.
For people living in cities far from the fires but under current air alert, Professor Adams advises limiting outdoor exercise to avoid inhaling fire smoke.
Below are stunning images of the plume of smoke from the fires that blanketed the streets of New York:
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The New York government announced on Thursday that it would distribute one million masks to residents
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“We encourage all New Yorkers to limit outdoor activities as much as possible,” Mayor Eric Adams warned
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Severe wildfires in Canada caused poor air quality
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Much of the smoke reaching New York comes from Quebec, where 150 fires are raging.
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Smoke from wildfires has also been linked to serious, longterm health problems, such as cancer and lung disease.
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Orange haze blanketed the city skyline and obscured historical landmarks
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Experts say exposure to wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems.
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Millions of people in North America have been recommended to wear N95 masks outdoors
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Immediate effects of inhaling wildfire smoke include shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chest pain, or sore eyes, nose, and throat.