Outdoor Workers in Southern Ontario Adjust to Health Risks Amid Wildfire Smoke

📅 1 day ago

Outdoor workers in southern Ontario are adapting to hazardous air quality due to wildfire smoke, with some canceling work and others taking precautions to continue operations.

TORONTO — In response to alarming air quality levels caused by wildfire smoke sweeping through southern Ontario, outdoor workers are taking precautionary measures, including wearing masks, taking frequent breaks, or opting to stay home entirely. Environment Canada has issued warnings, stating that the air quality in Toronto is currently classified as 'very high risk,' affecting areas from Windsor to Kingston. Chris Smith, the owner of Woodsmith Construction, a homebuilding company based in Toronto, reported that he had to halt work on two out of four ongoing projects for the day due to health concerns. He described the end of his workday on Wednesday as particularly challenging, suffering from burning eyes and a severe headache, symptoms likely linked to the poor air quality. Meanwhile, landscaping laborer Andre Carreira and seven of his colleagues continued their work planting boxwoods in the afternoon, albeit with precautions. They remained in the shade and donned respirator masks to mitigate the effects of the smoke. The wildfires have not only raised significant health concerns but have also led to the cancellation of various events across the southern regions of the province, as a persistent smoky orange haze casts a pall over the landscape for yet another day.

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