The United States is enduring a severe heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures in Texas and smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting south, causing air quality alerts in major cities including Chicago, Detroit, and Washington DC. According to IQAir, these three cities ranked as having the worst air quality in the world on Thursday, classified as 'unhealthy'.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned that while the air quality is not as severe as three weeks ago, significant public health risks remain, particularly in western New York, central New York, and the Adirondacks. The city of Pittsburgh postponed its summer event due to a Code Red Air Quality alert.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that adults aged 65 and older are more vulnerable to heat-related health problems, as they adjust less well to sudden temperature changes and are more likely to have chronic conditions or take medications that affect temperature regulation. Greg Olsen, director of the New York state office for the aging, urged family and friends to check on older adults during heatwaves.
A survey by the Society of Actuaries Research Institute found that 53% of Americans reported adverse health effects from extreme weather events, with over half also reporting negative impacts on property, communities, and feelings of safety. Meanwhile, Texas Democratic Representative Colin Allred criticised Republican Governor Greg Abbott for signing a bill that rescinds water breaks for workers during the heatwave.
In Mexico, health authorities reported at least 112 heat-related deaths so far this year, nearly triple the 2022 figure, with a significant spike in the last two weeks. Washington DC meteorologist Matthew Cappucci predicted that intermittent smoke from Canadian wildfires could persist across the US through October.
