It’s a smoky day in Calgary, and the air quality in the city has dipped to levels so low that spots like Mumbai and LA look like they have crisp, clean mountain air.
According to IQAir’s World Air Quality Index, Mumbai, India, has an air quality index of 50, while Los Angeles has an index of 50 too, as of Thursday morning.
Compare that to Calgary and the surrounding area, with wildfire smoke raising the air quality index to an uncomfortable 155 in the southern portion of the city, and the index above 100 across most of the area, averaging at about 132.
IQAir
IQAir
Nearby towns and cities were also not doing so hot when it comes to air quality, with Strathmore as a whole sitting at 157, Cochrane at 134, and the station in Okotoks at 127.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a special air quality statement for much of the province, including Calgary, saying that smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility.
“Wildfire smoke is a constantly-changing mixture of particles and gasses which includes many chemicals that can harm your health,” says ECCC.
The agency adds that if you or anyone in your care are exposed to wildfire smoke, you should consider taking extra precautions to reduce exposure.
People with lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, are at greater health risk from air pollution exposure.