Heat, Smog Advisory Continue For Third Day
Posted August 16, 2009 6:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
For the third straight day, the GTA was under a smog advisory as the hot, humid conditions and polluted air hung around on Sunday.
As the day progressed, temperatures approached the 30C mark, feeling more like 37 with the humidity.
The Air Quality Index, an indication of how clean the air is, was again at six, past the advisory threshold of five.
Smog is a mix of air pollutants that are sometimes visible in the form of a brownish-yellow haze over cities. Its two main ingredients are ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter and it’s harmful to the lungs and heart – especially for smokers and those with respiratory difficulties.
But Torontonians out enjoying a car-free Kensington Market didn’t mind breathing it all in.
Organizers of the popular Pedestrian Sundays marked the sixth anniversary of the North American blackout by turning out the lights. They featured all-acoustic music and other electricity-free events.
At 4:11pm on Aug. 14, 2003, Ontario and much of the northeastern U.S. were hit by the largest blackout in the continent’s history. In that instant, 50 million people from New York to North Bay lost power. And for many, it didn’t come back on for days.
Here are some tips to beat the heat courtesy of Toronto Public Health:
-Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.
-Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat when possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and plan to go out early in the morning or evening when it is cooler and smog levels may not be as high as in the afternoon.
-Wear a hat.
-Go to air conditioned or cool places such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres or a friend’s place.
-If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.
-Wear loose fitting, light clothing.
-Keep lights off or turned down low.
-Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
-Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.
-Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
-Never leave a child in a parked car or asleep in direct sunlight.
-Fans alone may not provide enough cooling when the temperature is high.
-Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the side effects of your medications.
Check the Air Quality Index in your area.
