Montreal's Air Ranked Among the Worst in the World Due to Prairie Wildfires
It was a shocking sight this weekend in Montreal. A thick, almost opaque smog blanketed the city, and for a few alarming hours on Saturday morning, the air quality here was the worst in the world — yes, worse than even Jakarta or Kinshasa. This ranking wasn’t just based on perception, but hard data: the city hit an air pollution level of 112 micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter. To put that in perspective, anything above 35 is already considered poor.
This crisis wasn’t caused by local industry or traffic. The culprit was the massive wildfires burning out west in the Prairies — particularly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The smoke from those fires was carried eastward by slow-moving air currents, and with little wind to disperse the fine particles, the smog just settled over Montreal. And it stayed there, worsening through the night into Saturday.
Also Read:- Amanda Ribas Balances Fierce Octagon Fights With Big Dreams Outside the Cage
- Aaron Judge Sidelined with Elbow Injury as Yankees Face Phillies
Health officials and meteorologists were quick to issue warnings. Environment Canada urged people to stay indoors, especially in areas like Laval, the Laurentians, and the Eastern Townships. Vulnerable groups — young children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or heart conditions — were advised to avoid outdoor activities entirely. But even healthy individuals were at risk. Symptoms from exposure can range from itchy eyes and coughing to more serious issues like asthma attacks or heart arrhythmias.
By mid-afternoon, Montreal dropped to the second spot globally in terms of poor air, but the danger hadn’t passed. And it’s not just the smoke — there’s a heatwave adding to the public health challenge. Temperatures are climbing past 30°C, with humidity pushing the humidex to near 40. Nights aren’t offering relief either, staying well above 20°C, making rest difficult and increasing the risk of heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Dr. Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers, a physician who specializes in environmental health, emphasized the longer-term concern. She warned that repeated exposure to poor air — especially during summer wildfire seasons — can have deep and lasting effects on public health, including increased risks of dementia, cancers in children, and exacerbation of existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. And it’s not just physical health. Some studies have even linked extreme heat and poor air quality to spikes in suicide attempts and community violence.
To protect yourself during these episodes, officials recommend limiting outdoor exposure, keeping windows closed, and using air purifiers if possible. A well-fitted N95 mask can also help reduce exposure when going outside is unavoidable. It’s also advised to check in on vulnerable friends and neighbors, especially those who live alone.
Ultimately, this is a glimpse into what the future might hold if climate inaction continues. More heat, more fires, more smog — and the burden will fall not just on the environment, but on our hospitals, our communities, and our daily lives.
Read More:
0 Comments