Masks are back in New York, Chicago and Detroit - smoke covers American cities

The American cities of Detroit, Chicago and Washington now have some of the worst air quality levels in the world, while New York ranks fourth for air pollution. Citizens wear masks as they do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data from the air quality monitoring platform IQAir, the pollution index has reached alarming levels: in Detroit, the level was recorded at 435, in Chicago 330, and in Washington 242, which are considered very dangerous levels for health.

Zjarri i madh në Kanada rrethon trenin, drejtuesi filmon kalimin mes flakëve

In comparison, cities known for air pollution such as Jakarta, New Delhi and Beijing have now had better air quality.

A thick layer of gray smoke has blanketed many cities in the northeastern United States, significantly reducing visibility.

From Arlington in Virginia, where the panorama of Washington is usually clearly visible, today monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are barely distinguishable.

Residents have also reported an unusual smell in the air, while authorities have activated the purple alert, which indicates air that is very harmful to health.

Similar situations have been reported in New York, Boston and Chicago. Residents have reported smelling and tasting smoke, while authorities have advised against outdoor activities due to hazardous particles in the air.

The source of the smoke is the large forest fires that are engulfing the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as the American state of Minnesota.

Experts warn that climate change has contributed to the expansion of areas affected by fires. Drought has made the soil and vegetation burn more easily, causing more frequent and larger fires. /Telegraph/ ...