Chicago's air quality 'very unhealthy,' ranked worst in world
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Smoke pouring down from Canadian wildfires has created air quality so bad that Chicago's was deemed the worst on Earth Tuesday.
Shortly before noon, the poor quality of air in the area was raised to "very unhealthy."
As of 9 p.m., Chicago retained the distinction of having the world's worst air quality, with an air quality index of 175. Detroit came in second with 171, according to IQAir.
The question now is: How long will this last?
According to airnow.gov, people should take the following precautions.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and teens: Avoid physical activities outdoors.
Everyone else: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short, and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
"It's really the people that have any sort of airway disease that we have to be concerned about, any airway disease, but particularly the inflammatory ones like asthma, COPD. Those are the people that are most affected by what's going on right now," Dr. Nimmi Rajagopal with the Cook County Health Department said.
Dr. Mark Loafman, with the Cook County Health and Hospitals System, said those with respiratory conditions should be aware if they have symptoms like shortness of breath or producing more phlegm and mucus.
Still, not everyone was heeding those warnings on Tuesday. CBS 2's Andrew Ramos came across many people going about their business.
Along the Riverwalk in downtown, joggers and tourists went about their day, trying to soak in as many attractions as possible.
Some of the business owners along the Riverwalk acknowledged the crowds for lunchtime were usually bigger and that the air quality had certainly put a dent in foot traffic.
"I thought it was going to be nice until it started smelling like campfire smoke," said Will Bland who was visiting Chicago from Washington, D.C.
The day was full of curve balls for many across the board, depending on who you asked.
"To me, it's not that bad," said Kevin Schilling, who was visiting from Nevada. "I could smell the smoke and stuff, but I don't think it's all that bad."
Loafman said while physicians are usually in favor of people going outside and getting their regular exercise, Tuesday was "not a great day for that."
Chicago Public Schools wasn't taking any chances with the smog and notified parents early Tuesday that all outdoor activities and programs would be moved indoors.
The World Air Quality Index reported, Chicago had the worst air quality on Tuesday. That group marked Chicago's air "unhealthy," and in the red zone.
According to CBS 2 meteorologists, the Canadian wildfire smoke is coming in from northerly winds, causing low air quality.
Minneapolis and Detroit also ranked in the top 10 as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time)
Air quality world rankings
Chicagoans are also advised to wear masks to protect from air pollution, run air purifiers, and close windows. Evanston officials closed its beaches on Tuesday because of the poor air.
The Starlight Concert at Baker Park in southeast Evanston has also been canceled due to the smoke.
The Chicago Park District said it is moving all of its programs – including summer camps – indoors to the fullest extent possible.
The Park District has also canceled three "Movies in the Parks" events that had been planned for Tuesday evening – "Mrs. Doubtfire" at Oakwood Beach, "Ticket to Paradise" at Montgomery Ward Park on the Near North Side, and "Space Jam" outside the Museum of Science and Industry. The screenings had all been scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
The Porchlight Music Theatre's production of "Broadway in your Backyard," scheduled for 6 p.m. at Unity Park in Logan Square, also has been canceled.
"This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City, Washington DC, Montreal, and today here in Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
"As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world."
The City of Chicago advised those without access to properly-ventilated and safe indoor conditions to use public libraries, Park District facilities, senior centers, the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington St., or the city's community service centers – which are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. One community service center, the Garfield Center at 10 S. Kedzie Ave., is open 24 hours.
Area air quality readings
Weather models suggest air quality should improve by midnight Wednesday.
Global view of air quality
On Monday, a Canadian agency added at least 27 new wildland fires to their list.
There are more than 18 million acres affected this year.
In Montreal, experts have pushed their air quality rating into the "high-risk category," warning residents to take precautions.