Last week, residents of Chicago woke up to a shocking sight: a hazy orange sky that signaled one of the worst air quality indices in the world, particularly concerning for those heading out to the popular music festival, Lollapalooza.
The cause was wildfires burning over a thousand miles away in Canada, sending clouds of smoke drifting into the Midwest.
Students from Columbia, such as Jordan Yarbrough and Nicole Vandewalker, recounted their experiences of being unprepared for the phenomenon.
Both students reported experiencing symptoms relating to air quality issues like sneezing and coughing, not initially realizing the extent of the situation.
“I thought it was my allergies,” Jordan mentioned, reflecting on his decision to attend the festival without a mask, unaware of the airborne dangers.
Nicole echoed similar sentiments, stating that although she suspected the haze was due to fires, she did not receive any prior alerts or warnings.
The absence of such notifications left them and hundreds of thousands of others outdoors, exposing them to harmful conditions without adequate protection.
Jordan shared his feelings of discomfort, noting, “It was hard to breathe, especially being outdoors at the baseball fields.”
The response from the students highlighted an increased awareness surrounding climate change and environmental pollution.
Reflecting on their experiences, both students felt that better announcements could have been made to alert the public, especially given the gathering at a large event like Lollapalooza.
Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Berg, a biology professor at Columbia, provided insight into how smoke from these distant wildfires reached Chicago.
She explained that the smoke spread across the Midwest due to prevailing air currents, affecting not just Chicago but other neighboring areas as well.
“Once that smoke is in the atmosphere, it moves around until it dissipates,” she noted, explaining that Chicago happened to be in the path of this harmful air stream.
The cosmopolitan characteristics of the smoke led to it potentially carrying various pollutants along with it, complicating the air quality situation.
“Hot smoke can pick up various chemicals in the atmosphere, creating a more hazardous mixture,” she added, drawing parallels to how campfire smoke sticks to clothing and skin.
To delve deeper into the topic, Professor Richard Di Maio, a meteorologist at Columbia, described the components that make up wildfire smoke.
“Wildfire smoke includes a variety of gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide and hazardous air pollutants,” he waved off the complexities associated with pollution that can arise from different sources.
He also elaborated on particle pollution, which can generally be divided into two categories: coarse and fine particles.
Di Maio explained that exposure to wildfire smoke can pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable groups, including those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or those very young or elderly.
With this in mind, he stressed the importance of individuals learning to monitor air quality and understand its potential effects on their health.
“Checking air quality when experiencing symptoms like eye irritation or a scratchy throat can help one make informed decisions about outdoor activities,” he advised.
Both professors framed the discussion of wildfire smoke as not just a scientific issue but rather a call to action for individuals and communities to engage more proactively in environmental issues.
In addressing what steps can be taken, both Davis-Berg and Di Maio highlighted various local environmental groups and initiatives that Chicagoans can get involved with.
From volunteering with the Friends of the Chicago River to internships focusing on environmental studies, countless opportunities exist to make meaningful contributions.
Students and residents were encouraged to explore the city’s Climate Action Plan, a framework designed to address various environmental challenges dating back to 2008.
This plan provides valuable resources and information that can increase awareness and ultimately lead to more significant advocacy for a healthier environment.
In closing, Stella Huang, the host of Chronversations, emphasized the importance of staying informed about local and national issues affecting air quality and climate change.
Listeners were urged to remain engaged by keeping up with news sources or signing up for newsletters to promote awareness surrounding these critical issues.
Only by recognizing the interconnected nature of environmental pollution, climate change, and personal health can communities work towards fostering better air quality for future generations.
image source from：columbiachronicle
