In its annual “State of the Air” report, the American Lung Association noted that while poor air quality is pervasive, communities of colour are more than twice as likely to experience the worst impacts.
At the time, wildfires were raging throughout parts of British Columbia and so Amber checked the air quality index on a weather app that morning to make sure it was safe for Carter — who had asthma — to play outside.
Research shows that cutting carbon emissions offers more than an abstract, long-term, far-ranging result. It can actually save lives, almost immediately.
Wildfire smoke hanging over communities across Canada in recent months has highlighted the need for better ventilation in buildings used by the public, experts say, urging the establishment of strong indoor air quality standards.
British Columbia's coroner has issued a public safety bulletin about wildfire smoke, saying the death of a nine-year-old boy had been "confirmed by his parents" to have been related to a medical condition aggravated by the smoke.
A Canadian study suggests an association between household use of gas stoves and a higher risk of asthma in some kids. However, like other recent studies on the issue, the results were inconsistent.