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Environment Canada issues special air quality statement for Toronto 

As of 3 p.m. today, Toronto’s air quality index reached five which experts warn poses a moderate health risk. (Courtesy: @shawnmicallef/Instagram)

Torontonians woke to a city smelling like smoke this morning amidst the arrival of fire induced smog. 

“Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario may result in deteriorated air quality through most of this week,” warned Environment Canada in a statement released Tuesday. 

A caution that echoed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Monday remarks. “Modeling shows that this may be an especially severe wildfire season throughout the summer,” he forewarned. 

As of 3 p.m. today, Toronto’s air quality index reached five which experts say poses a moderate health risk. Nonetheless, everybody is advised to take precautions to minimize smoke exposure, which can be harmful even at relatively low concentrations. 

However, “people with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke,” warns the statement. Environment Canada is strongly advising those experiencing symptoms of smoke exposure, which include, shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness or chest pains, to remain indoors and to keep the inside air clean.

Visibility is also likely to “fluctuate over short distances” and may vary “considerably from hour to hour,” a factor also worth noting for drivers and pedestrians.

If you must remain outside, a well-fitted N95 mask “such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke.” Even so, these types of masks do not protect users from harmful gasses in the air. Environment Canada advises those spending extended periods of time outdoors to keep tabs on the development of the aforementioned symptoms.

For Environment Canada’s full statement, click here

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