Environment Canada has issued a smog warning for the areas of Montreal and Laval due to high concentrations of pollutants in the air. The air quality is expected to be poorest in metropolitan regions where pollution levels are elevated. Residents, particularly children with asthma, as well as individuals with respiratory illnesses or heart conditions, are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities until conditions improve.
The primary contributor to smog during the winter months is wood heating, which outpaces industrial activities and transportation in terms of particle emissions. In Montreal, the use of wood or solid-fuel burning appliances is restricted to those emitting fewer than 2.5 grams of particles per hour during the smog warning. Even certified wood stoves are prohibited under these conditions, and violators can face fines.
Authorities are urging the public to heed these warnings and comply with regulations to help mitigate the health impacts of air pollution during this period.
