Toronto woke up Monday to a grim global distinction: the second-worst air quality among major cities worldwide, according to Swiss-based monitoring platform IQAir. Thick plumes of wildfire smoke drifting from northern blazes have blanketed southern Ontario, pushing Toronto up the global pollution rankings and prompting a special air quality statement from Environment Canada.
By early morning, the city’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) hit a level six, considered a moderate health risk, with forecasts predicting a spike to seven, a high-risk category, before easing later in the day.
Environment Canada warns that the wildfire smoke is expected to linger across much of southern Ontario through Monday and possibly into Tuesday. Affected areas include not only Toronto but also Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, and Durham Region cities like Pickering and Oshawa.
“Air quality and visibility can change rapidly from hour to hour and across short distances,” the agency noted, urging residents, especially children, seniors, pregnant individuals, and those with respiratory or heart conditions, to limit time outdoors.
Symptoms from exposure may include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, mild coughing, headaches, and in more severe cases, wheezing or chest pain. For those who must be outside, a well-fitted respirator-style mask is recommended to reduce inhalation of fine particulate matter.
Health officials also encourage residents to keep windows and doors closed, use air filtration if available, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbours.
