Montreal among the worst air quality in the world

Montreal started Friday morning off ranked number two for worst air quality in the world due to smoke from ongoing forest fires in the province by IQAir’s online platform – with Toronto at number one and New York at three. This, as the long weekend gets started and unsettled weather is in the forecast.

The city’s air quality index stood at 134, according to data from the IQAir, Toronto at 154 and New York 128.

“When the air quality is bad, there’s no advantage to going outside,” said Montreal cardiologist, Dr. Christopher Labos. “Now, if you go outside for a short period of time, the amount of damage you’re going to do to your lungs is probably fairly minimal, but there’s no advantage to it. So especially when the air quality is moderate and or bad, if you have underlying problems, you’re not doing yourself any favour.”

As of 11 a.m. Toronto and Montreal shifted to second and third, with New York City moving into first.

“My eyes are a little bit itchy, maybe it’s because of this, so I’m not sure, but it’s certainly very dry the air,” said Nick Takhar.

By 1 p.m. air quality had improved – Toronto and Montreal ranked third and fourth, with only Jakarta, Indonesia, and New York City faring worse.

“I was just in Chicago,” said Joe Jacobs from New Jersey. “Chicago had the worst air quality in the world, this is far better than Chicago.”

Real time data from the United Nations Environment Programme shows that the level of pollutants in the air in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto is at least 10 times higher than recommended.

“My first thought was we probably should not be exercising with the smog because I heard it’s supposed to be not good for you, but I don’t feel the difference,” said Paula Da Silva, who was cycling up Mount Royal.

Montreal was ranked number one for world’s worst air quality last Sunday.

“Breathing in air pollution isn’t doing you any favours,” said Dr. Labos. “Now, if you’re young and you’re healthy and you have no underlying medical problems, you’re not going to suffer any problems right now. But the cumulative effects of breathing in all that air pollution repeatedly over the course of many different days, that’s obviously not a good thing.”

Environment Canada’s smog warning for Quebec has been in effect since Wednesday afternoon.

“High concentrations of fine particulate matter from the forest fires are resulting in poor air quality. However, concentrations will be less significant than during last Sunday’s smog event. These conditions may continue over the next few days.,” reads the statement.

Montreal has a ‘high-risk’ score of 7 on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). 

The City of Montreal on Thursday announced the closure of certain outdoor sports facilities due to air quality. And by Friday afternoon, had started to gradually reopen them. See their website for more details.

There’s a 40 per cent chance of showers later this afternoon for Montreal, with a high of 27 – feeling more like 32 with the humidex.

Those at-risk of adverse health effects are being told to remain indoors.

“If there is particularly bad air quality where you are, I would have the air conditioning on so that you’re getting the fresh air that is being filtered in some way,” said Dr. Labos.

But some people have no choice to be outside because of their jobs.

“We have employees who are busy setting up an event, we are aware that the air quality is not necessarily very good, but we talk to each other,” says Olivier. “If we feel that there are some who are unwell, we give them breaks, but for now there is really no issue.”

Hot and muggy on Saturday with more rain expected and a with a risk of thunderstorms later in the day. Local smoke could still be hanging over the city as temperatures climb to 33 with the humidex.

More showers in store for Sunday and a high of 21, then cloudy Monday with 25 degrees.

Environment Canada warns that the smoke in the air can have health impacts and is encouraging residents to limit their exposure. Those considered higher-risk include people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors.

Several regions of Quebec are also affected by smog: Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Laval, Outaouais and Montérégie.

Related:

Organizers on Thursday said Canada Day fireworks planned for Saturday night in Montreal were cancelled due to the air-quality concerns and La Ronde on Wednesday night cancelled it’s opening night of fireworks planned for the next day.

With files from The Canadian Press