A professor at Waterloo Engineering is warning Canadians to expect poor air quality to become more routine due to the impact of wildfires and other factors.
As the summer wildfire season begins, Dr. Rebecca Saari said they have historically been a major cause of air pollution and their impact is only expected to grow with continuing climate change.
Saari, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair In Global Change, Atmosphere and Health, said estimates peg the cost of annual health damage from wildfires at up to $6 billion.
“We’re entering a period where we want to encourage people to be aware of air quality and take steps to protect themselves and vulnerable people in their care,” she said.
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