The same heat dome that pushes temperatures toward 100°F is creating another problem across the Northeast: wildfire smoke that can make a typical summer workout difficult — and potentially put more strain on your lungs and heart.
the new York Times informed Smoke from fires burning in Canada and the Great Lakes spread over New York City and other parts of the Northeast on Wednesday, clouding skies and prompting air-quality warnings. New York City Emergency Management It later said air quality in the city had been recorded as “unhealthy” and residents were urged to limit time outside due to extreme heat and smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Why is there no smoke coming out?
A heat dome is a persistent area of high atmospheric pressure that traps warm air near the surface. In this case, it is also limiting the atmosphere’s ability to disperse smoke.
New York Office of the National Weather Service Said that hot, humid and smoky conditions will continue till Wednesday evening, with the smoke likely to continue till Thursday night. environment canada Issued an orange air-quality warning for Toronto, reporting that wildfire smoke caused very poor air quality and reduced visibility.
The fire that spreads that smoke is not small. minnesota pollution control agency Warned that fine particle pollution could reach levels considered dangerous to everyone in northeastern Minnesota and could be very unhealthy in other parts of the state.
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Deciding to workout before going out
Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 – particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Environmental Protection Agency says short-term exposure can cause eye and respiratory irritation and aggravate asthma, heart failure and other conditions.
Exercise increases the risk because you breathe faster and inhale more polluted air. AirNow’s particle pollution guidance recommends making outdoor activity shorter and less intense if the AQI exceeds 100. Once it reaches the “unhealthy” range of 151 to 200, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or intense outdoor exercise.
This means today can’t be a day of intervals, long runs, or tough yard work. check AirNow Before going outside, move training indoors when possible, and stop if you have a cough, chest tightness, unusual fatigue or shortness of breath.
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