Detroit has the world's worst air quality among major cities. Windsor is on par
CBC News | Posted: June 29, 2023 4:13 PM | Last Updated: June 29, 2023
Air quality statement for Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent expected to continue into Saturday
As of Thursday afternoon, Detroit's air quality was ranked worst in the world among major cities. Across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ont., the air quality is about the same — or at times, worse.
According to the website IQ Air, Detroit had a U.S. air quality index of 168, as of 6 p.m. ET, while Windsor's was 187.
The air quality is considered "unhealthy."
The numbers are fluctuating considerably, and at points on Thursday afternoon Windsor's air quality was considered on par with, or worse than, Detroit's.
Environment Canada, which has issued an air quality statement, said smoke is expected to stick around for Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent Thursday until Saturday.
"Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour," read their statement.
PHOTOS: Windsor, Ont. was under smoky skies again Thursday. Here's what it looked like outside
People around Windsor on Thursday afternoon said they hope air quality improves — but feel the region could be in for a long summer of less-than-ideal air quality.
"I came from Toronto via Hamilton and ... as I got closer to Windsor it got hazier, smokier, hotter and humid," said Anthony Farrauto, who was visiting for a Thursday night show at Caesars Windsor.
"It's not even July ... I think this is just the beginning, we're in for a stretch, maybe a month or six weeks ... I feel for people that have conditions, the elderly, I feel for those people."
Cam Breshamer is a nurse who works in Detroit. While the air quality isn't impacting him too much personally, he is spending more time indoors.
"I know the air quality is impacted, I just hope we're not seeing cases coming into the hospital for example," he said.
Dhaval Patel — an environmental engineer — said he believes poor air quality, a mix of smoke and fog to create smog, could last for a couple more months.
"This time last year was beautiful and now it's toxic," Patel said. "I don't know what's happening to the world. I am worried and I'm an environmental engineer so I am accountable to change this."
Canada Post issued a yellow service alert for Windsor. This means there may be some delivery delays on Thursday.
The mail company had issued a red service alert and paused all deliveries in Windsor and Chatham on Wednesday, which had ended Thursday.
Elevated ground ozone, one of three pollutants Environment Canada takes in to account for the air quality index, is possible Thursday and Saturday.
"A lot of us when we were younger heard about the the hole in the ozone layer ... so it's elevated ozone that protects us. However, when it's at the ground level, it harms us," Trudy Kidd, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said.
"And elevated just means it's higher, to a point where it it's not ideal, so it's contributing to poor air quality."
The air quality statement has been ongoing since Tuesday morning, with smoke moving in during the evening and affecting the area all day on Wednesday.
In the statement, the weather agency said everyone should take action to reduce exposure to the smoke, as it can be harmful even at low concentrations.
Kidd asked people to "stay weather aware" and keep a eye on the air quality forecast as well as the WeatherCAN app.
Local schools were also affected when boards asked them to keep students indoors all day.
The City of Windsor promoted its indoor facilities on Wednesday for those who needed a break from the outdoors.
Environment Canada warns people to stay hydrated, manage symptoms
Environment Canada warned people with heart or lung disease, older people, pregnant people, children and those who work outdoors have a higher risk of their health being affected and asked these groups make plans with their healthcare providers to have the necessary medications at hand.
The weather agency also outlined other things people can do to protect themselves from the smoke:
- Stay indoors if possible.
- Stay hydrated.
- Stop or reduce activity levels if breathing becomes uncomfortable or feel unwell.
- If outdoors, wear a well-fitted, respirator type mask that won't allow air to pass through openings between the mask and face. "Respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke," reads the statement. "It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms."
- Make sure to check on your loved ones.
- Avoid smoking, vaping, burning incense and candles, frying food, using wooden stoves and vacuuming indoors.
- If you have access to a HVAC system, use the "highest rated MERV filter for your system (ideally rated 13 or higher) and set the fan to recirculate air constantly."
- Continue monitoring the air quality index and any symptoms.