Toronto's air quality is worse than most cities in India as officials issue a stark warning
Toronto is currently facing some of the worst air quality on the planet, with conditions surpassing those in cities long associated with chronic smog.
According to IQAir's global air quality ranking on Tuesday, Toronto is currently the fifth most polluted city in the entire world.
That ranking places the 6ix above cities like Byrnihat and Delhi, which were the top two most polluted cities in the world in 2024, according to IQAir's rankings. In fact, 35 out of the top 50 most polluted cities in the world last year were in India.
A special air quality statement from Environment Canada warns that wildfire smoke will continue to blanket much of southern Ontario through the day and may persist into Wednesday. The smoke, carried in from active forest fires, is reducing visibility and pushing acceptable particulate levels into the hazardous range. Conditions can change quickly by hour and location, but the impact is widespread and severe.
Toronto's weather forecast reflects the extent of the smoke. Environment Canada is calling for widespread smoke and a high of 29 C on Tuesday, with a humidex of 34 and a UV index of 8. Tonight will see continued widespread smoke and a low of 17 C.
On Wednesday, skies will be a mix of sun and cloud with lingering local smoke. The high is expected to reach 28 C, accompanied by a humidex of 34 and a UV index of 8. Skies will clear by night with a low of 19 C.
As smoke concentrations rise, so do health risks.Officials are urging people to limit outdoor time and avoid strenuous activity outside. Common symptoms include eye, throat, and nose irritation, headaches, and coughing. More serious effects may include wheezing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
Vulnerable groups, including seniors, children, pregnant individuals, people with chronic conditions, and outdoor workers, are advised to take precautions. These include staying indoors, using a HEPA-grade air purifier, and checking in on neighbours. If outdoor exposure is unavoidable, a well-fitted N95 mask can reduce, but not eliminate, the risks.
IQ Air's top 10 most polluted major cities, as of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5:
- Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kolkata, India
- Manama, Bahrain
- Doha, Qatar
- Toronto, Canada
- Detroit, U.S.
- Dubai, U.A.E.
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Officials continue to advise residents to monitor health advisories and prioritize indoor air quality, as smoke from the fires persists across the region.
IQ Air's top 10 most polluted major cities in 2024:
- Byrnihat, India
- Delhi, India
- Karaganda, Kazakhstan
- Mullanpur, India
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Faridabad, India
- Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
- N'Djamena, Chad
- Loni, India
- New Delhi, India
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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