Toronto was the fourth most contaminated main city in the world on Friday night when the smoke of forest fires hung from the city, according to a global tracker.
The IQair classification, a Swiss air quality technology company, placed the city under Detroit, USA, Delhi, India and Montreal, which remained in the third place on Friday night, since it also faces smoke from forest fires of the Western provinces.
From the 9 PM on Friday, the air quality in Toronto was in seven in the Air Quality Health Index of Environment Canada, according to the website of the Meteorological Agency. A value between four and six is considered a moderate risk, while seven to 10 is high risk, it is read on the agency’s website.
The parts of the Metropolitan Area of Toronto and the surrounding communities were under a special declaration of air quality on Friday while forest fires continued to burn Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The smoke of forest fires is causing or is expected to cause poor air quality and a reduced visibility, said Enviedment Canada in a statement on Friday. The poor air quality was expected to persist until the night on Friday.
The Air Quality Declaration was in force for the following areas: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Newmarket and Georgina.
Environment Canada issued a similar special air statement for much of Ontario on Thursday.
People are recommended to limit the time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduing activities or outdoor events, said the Federal Meteorological Agency in the Friday statement.
Those who must spend time that use a “well -built, adjusted and properly used” mask are recommended, such as a N95 mask, said Environment Canada.
These masks can reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke, but there may still be health risks, the statement said.
When people who maintain closed windows and doors are advised as much as possible. A clean and good quality filter in its ventilation system or a certified portable air filter can help protect the inner air from the smoke from forest fires, said Environment.
People may experience “mild and common symptoms”, such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a slight cough, said the Federal Meteorological Agency.
The most serious and less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. People are advised to seek immediate medical assistance if they believe they are having a medical emergency.
The elderly, pregnant people, babies, young children, people with existing diseases or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors are more likely to be affected by the pollution of outdoor health, said Enviedment Canada.
“Check others that are under their care or live closely that they are more likely to be affected by outdoor air pollution,” reads the statement.
Toronto Pearson International Airport said it did not “anticipate any impact on operations” as a result of smoke, in an X position on Friday.
