Chicago’s air quality has been in the news lately, as smoke from wildfires in Canada has blanketed the city. The air quality index (AQI) has been in the “very unhealthy” range, meaning that it is unhealthy for everyone, even healthy adults.
The good news is that air quality is expected to improve in Chicago by Wednesday evening, June 29. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts that showers and thunderstorms will arrive on Wednesday, which will help to clear the smoke from the air.
In the meantime, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself from the poor air quality:
Avoid outdoor activities. If you must go outside, try to do so in the early morning or late evening, when the air quality is usually better.
Stay indoors. If you are sensitive to smoke, it is best to stay indoors until air quality improves.
Close your windows. If you must open your windows, keep them closed during periods of high air pollution.
Use an air purifier. An air purifier can help to remove pollutants from the air inside your home.
Take breaks. If you are feeling short of breath or have other respiratory symptoms, take a break from the air pollution and go inside.
If you have respiratory problems, such as asthma or COPD, you should be especially careful to avoid the smoke. You may want to consider talking to your doctor about how to manage your condition during this time.
The NWS says that the smoke from the wildfires is expected to continue to affect air quality in Chicago for the next few days. However, the showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday should help to clear the smoke and improve air quality.
In the meantime, you can stay up-to-date on the latest air quality information by visiting the NWS website or the Chicago Department of Public Health website.
Here are some additional tips for staying safe in poor air quality:
Wear a mask. If you must go outside, wear a mask that can help to filter out pollutants.
Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated can help to protect your lungs from the effects of air pollution.
Take care of your pets. Pets can also be affected by air pollution, so make sure to keep them indoors as much as possible.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself and your family from the effects of poor air quality.
This post were written by Bard, a large language model from Google AI. You can learn more about Bard here.
