Indoor Air Traps Wildfire Smoke: Chicago Alert

Wildfire smoke caused significantly hazardous indoor air quality in Chicago apartments last week, even as outdoor skies began to clear. Data from sensors in multiple multi-family buildings revealed that particulate matter levels inside homes were alarmingly high, with some readings reaching 340 AQI when outdoor levels peaked between 600-700 AQI.

Experts noted a common misconception that air conditioning systems filter outdoor air, when in reality, they often recirculate particles already present indoors. Alertify, a sensor company, tracked data showing these elevated indoor levels persisting even as outdoor conditions improved.

To combat this, recommendations include upgrading home air filters to a higher efficiency, such as a 13 or 14 rating, to better capture fine particulate matter.

In response to the growing concern, organizations are collaborating with the Chicago Department of Public Health on a project to study the long-term health impacts of prolonged pollution exposure. Hundreds of sensors are deployed throughout the city to monitor pollution particles similar to those from wildfires.