Eastern US Concerned About Air Quality During Canada Fires

Winds are pushing smoke from Canadian wildfires into major cities across the U.S. Midwest and East Coast. The smoke is causing dangerous air quality levels in both countries.

The wildfires are burning over 400,000 hectares across Canada. They stretch from the western provinces all the way to the eastern provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Canadian officials have expanded evacuation orders and asked other countries for help fighting more than 420 fires nationwide.

Winds are blowing smoke from Eastern Canada to the south, causing people in places like New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to see hazy¹ skies. Officials in many cities have sent out air quality warnings and urged people to limit time outside.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency² said the smoky air and the smell of burning wood are likely to stay around for a few more days in northern states.

Darren Austin is a weather expert with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. He said the small eastern state sometimes sees smoke in the air from wildfires. However, by the time the smoke gets to his state, it has often spread over a large area. This time, the fires are much stronger and only about 800 kilometers away.

Dr. David Hill is a breathing and lung expert based in Connecticut. He said this kind of smoke contains small particles³ that can get into the lungs and cause health problems.

Trent Ford⁴ is a weather expert in the Midwestern state of Illinois. He said the recent dry and windy conditions in many places across the country have made it easier for the smoke to travel longer distances. Rain would have made the air heavier and cleaner.

The American Lung Association⁵ notes that smoky air can be a problem for young children because they breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults.

Hill, the lung expert, said people who will be working outside for a long period of time should consider wearing a face mask. The ones people wore during the COVID-19 pandemic – rated N95 or similar- will help.

In addition, he advised people to check their home air filters⁶ and consider purchasing an air purifier⁷.

Words in This Story

province –n. a large region⁸ a country such as Canada is divided into

hazy –adj. air that is not clear

relative –adj. a term used to discuss how one measurement compares to another

1 hazy   

adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的

参考例句：

• We couldn't see far because it was so hazy.雾气蒙蒙妨碍了我们的视线。
• I have a hazy memory of those early years.对那些早先的岁月我有着朦胧的记忆。

2 agency   

n.经办；代理；代理处

参考例句：

• This disease is spread through the agency of insects.这种疾病是通过昆虫媒介传播的。
• He spoke in the person of Xinhua News Agency.他代表新华社讲话。

3 particles   

微粒( particle的名词复数 )； 颗粒； 极少量； 小品词

参考例句：

• These small particles agglomerate together to form larger clusters. 这些颗粒聚结形成较大的团。
• The nucleus of an atom consists of neutrons, protons and other particles. 原子核由中子、质子和其他粒子构成。

4 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

5 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

6 filters   

过滤( filter的名词复数 )； 滤光器； （香烟头上的）过滤嘴； 交通红灯指示不得直行的同时

参考例句：

• Filters do not remove all contaminants from water. 过滤器无法过滤掉水中的所有污染物。
• A liquid filters through a strainer,into the receptacle beneath. 液体经过过滤器流入下面的容器。

7 purifier   

清洁者； 清洁器； 精制的； 精炼者

参考例句：

• How to select the air purifier for you in our Center? 如何于本中心推介之产品内选择最适合自己的空气净化器？
• The utility model discloses a super-filtering water purifier for a drinking machine. 本实用新型公开了一种饮水机用超滤净水器。

8 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。