A smog warning is in effect for:
- Châteauguay – La Prairie
- Laval
- Longueuil – Varennes
- Montreal island
According to Environment Canada, high concentrations of fine particles could result in poor air quality, with pollutants expected to persist through til Wednesday morning.
Asthmatic children or people with respiratory ailments or heart disease should avoid intense physical outdoor activity until the warning is lifted.
“We can all help improve air quality by doing simple things, such as limiting the use of fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, opting to use public transit, reducing our driving speed and not letting our car engines idle unnecessarily,” the agency wrote on its website.
“In Quebec, wood heating is the main source of fine particles that contribute to smog during winter. This activity generates the largest number of these particulates, more than industrial activities and transportation.”
Montreal residents are also asked to stop using wood-burning stoves or fireplaces until the smog warning has been lifted.