Chicago’s air quality on Tuesday was the world’s worst

For at least one day, Chicago had the worst air quality among big cities across the world Tuesday. 

The smoke billowing from the Canadian wildfires made Chicago’s air worse than what’s breathed in the biggest, historically most polluted cities in India and China. Other Midwest cities, including Detroit and Minneapolis, were also rated among the worst. 

Forecasters say the smoke is expected to gradually push south and westward, though air quality will still be poor through Wednesday.

Chicago experiences poor air quality from western U.S. wildfires every year — a result of climate change — though that usually happens much later in the summer. 

“This is way early,” said Brian Urbaszewski, environmental health director at Respiratory Health Association. “It’s hard to wrap your mind around how big and scary this is. And it could become the new normal.”

The federal government warned that Chicago’s air was “very unhealthy,” and local officials said that residents — particularly the young, old and medically fragile — should take precautions.

Dr. Jordan Moskoff, medical director of adult emergency services at Cook County Health, said people should avoid running outside and limit other forms of outdoor exercise that could accelerate their heart rate.

Those with significant respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should avoid being outdoors.

Even people without respiratory problems may experience some discomfort or irritation from the smoke, but they could probably go out to do everyday tasks, Moskoff said.

“Everyone should listen to their body,” Moskoff said. “If they’re outside and they start having difficulty breathing or start having headaches, or any kind of chest pain, get inside right away and seek medical care.”

“I always like to say, ’What would your mom tell you?’” Moskoff said. “If you’re playing outside and it’s cloudy and your mom asks, ‘What are you doing outside?’ then that probably means you should be staying inside.”

Christine Cuevas, who walks dogs around Logan Square for a living, didn’t have a choice but to be outside all day amidst the haze. She said the air quality had an effect on her as she walked around the Northwest Side neighborhood.

“My eyes are burning, my chest hurts and my lungs hurt,” said Cuevas. “You could smell smoke in the air, that’s how bad it is.”

Cuevas said the air even had a negative effect on her furry charges.

“I had one dog that is 13 years old. He was sneezing nonstop, so I had to put him back inside,” she said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he hoped the air quality issues would pass quickly.

“I am hopeful that this is a very, very temporary situation. And we’ve seen that’s the case in other cities that have been plagued with this,” Pritzker said. “We’re not the only ones. But unfortunately today, it’s Chicago.”

Chicago Public Schools said it moved its summer programs indoors Tuesday “to reduce the risk to students and staff.”

In Portage Park, Jennifer Recendez wore a face mask to protect herself as she picked her two daughters up from day camp in the park.

She said she became worried that her daughters, 7 and 5, would be spending too much time out of doors as the day went on and the air quality didn’t improve.

“That’s what I was thinking when I was at work, that maybe it wasn’t the brightest idea to have dropped them off today, just because of how it is, and I know they usually spend all day outside,” Recendez said. “When I got out of work I realized it was really bad outside, I wasn’t expecting that.” 

Eric Curie, who was also picking up his son from day camp at Portage Park, said he was rethinking letting his son go to his usual outdoor hockey practice.

“But you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess,” Curie said. “If you have to go outside, you have to go outside. But if you don’t have to, then I guess maybe try to stay indoors.”

The Park District said it was moving programs, including summer camps, indoors “to the fullest extent possible.”

The federal government warning levels come from Airnow.gov, which uses the U.S. Air Quality Index to issue warnings. The same government index will issue warnings for “sensitive groups” throughout the summer. Readings of “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” are much more rare, health officials say.

The National Weather Service said that winds Tuesday were pulling smoke from Canada across Wisconsin, Michigan and portions of Illinois and northern Indiana.

The mayor’s office recommended that children, teens, seniors, people with heart or lung disease, and individuals who are pregnant avoid strenuous activities and limit their time outdoors. 

The city also recommended that people consider wearing masks while outdoors.

“As these unsafe conditions continue, the city will continue to provide updates and take swift action to ensure that vulnerable individuals have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a written statement.

Owen Ziliak/Sun-Times

The American Lung Association offers six tips for people to avoid lung irritation and health complications from increased air pollution:

Stay indoors

People living close to fire-stricken areas should follow guidance from local authorities and remain indoors to reduce breathing smoke, ash and other pollution in the area if instructed to do so.

Protect the air in your home

Keep doors, windows and fireplace dampers shut and preferably with clean air circulating through air conditioners on the recirculation setting. You can also watch this video on how to create a clean room in your house.

Keep an eye on symptoms

Higher levels of smoke in some areas can make breathing more difficult. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare provider.

Take precautions for kids

Extra precaution should be taken for children, who are more susceptible to smoke. Their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air, and consequently more pollution, for their size than adults.

Don’t count on a dust mask

Ordinary dust masks, designed to filter out large particles, and cloth facial coverings will not help. They still allow the more dangerous smaller particles to pass through. Special, more expensive dust masks with an N-95 or N-100 filter will block out the damaging fine particles, but they may not fit properly, are not made for children or adults with facial hair, and are difficult for people with lung disease to use.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Sun-Times

Ask for help

The American Lung Association’s lung help line at 1-800-LUNGUSA is staffed by nurses and respiratory therapists and is a free resource to answer any questions about the lungs, lung disease and lung health, including how to protect yourself during wildfires. 

Contributing: Brett Chase, Tina Sfondeles, Fran Spielman