Ira Jacobs, a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE), spoke to Cassandra Szklarski of The Canadian Press about the risks posed by wildfire smoke, especially in conjunction with hot summer days that can create a “double whammy.”
"That's the reason why we have schools that are very justifiably closing activities that will be occurring outside; cancelling recess. It's definitely warranted when we have these air quality warnings, particularly from forest fires,” said Jacobs, a professor in exercise physiology.
Jacobs advised against exercising outdoors on days like these, and wearing an N95 respirator if long periods of time outside can't be avoided.
He said particulate matter in wildfire smoke can carry tiny pollutants deep into the lungs.
"A large portion of what is generated by forest fires are what we refer to as very small particle sizes. And that's not healthy, because the smaller they are, the deeper those particles are actually deposited into the lungs. And the deeper they're deposited into the lungs, the more the harmful health challenges actually are."
When taking his dog out for a walk this morning in the Greater Toronto Area, Jacobs said he donned an N95 after noting a disconcerting haze.
"It was definitely cloudier than normal. It was definitely darker than normal…. And I thought I was smelling a smokier air than normal,” said Jacobs, adding that a weather app confirmed poor air quality.
"When it's really bad – and we've had a couple of warnings of that magnitude, that severity recently – masks are definitely warranted if you're outside bicycling to work, or you're outside working because you need to work. And when it comes to play and sports and workouts, which are discretionary activities — don't. Go inside."