More than 100 million people are on alert for unhealthy air in UNITED STATES from the smoke from the fires Canadainformed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

These alerts cover most of the northeastern United States, from Chicago to Atlanta, where air quality “is primarily affected by the Canadian fires, although other local pollutant emissions and weather may also play a role. a role,” the agency said. .

Affected populations are under amber alert”which leads to a possible impact on the health of the most vulnerable people such as the elderly, asthmatics or children, or even more.

Many cities, like new York And Washingtonare under Red alerta level at which the effects of poor air quality can affect the entire population and not just the most vulnerable people.

The EPA, the agency that monitors air quality in the United States, uses an index that ranges from zero to 500.

Between 0 and 50, the air quality is considered good. The orange alert corresponds to a level above 100.

The wind carried smoke from the Canadian province of Quebec, the epicenter of the wildfires that are devouring much of Canada.

The EPA advises people living in affected areas to reduce their exposure by limiting outdoor activities and monitoring “any health symptoms” if they have asthma, heart disease or are pregnant.

Most healthy adults and children recover quickly from exposure to smoke, but those with chronic conditions such as asthma or cardiovascular disease are at greater risk.

The AirNow Fire and Smoke app, with air monitoring data, can be downloaded to phones or viewed on https://fire.airnow.gov.

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