Experts are trying to refine emergency alerts, as the GTA experienced some of the worst air quality in the world this week. Data released by the Ontario-based community platform Nextdoor showed that roughly 86 per cent of Canadians want to see substantial overhauls in crisis notifications in the years ahead.

Canada had some of the worst air quality in North America on Tuesday morning according to waqi.info, the website for the World Air Quality Index project. See how your community ranks.

With various air quality indexes available, and as wildfire smoke becomes an increasing health risk, here’s what often goes into the decision to play sports or not — and how to make sense of air quality indexes when making your own decision.

And even if you don’t feel any discomfort on your run, it doesn’t mean there’s no harm being done. The pollutants can have long-term effects such as reduced lung function, increased risk of respiratory infections and can be linked to countless other health issues.

Air quality alerts are in place until 11pm ET several New York ... An additional round of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across southern Canada is expected to transport into northern Minnesota on Tuesday. In Illinois, the Air Pollution Action Day ...

The heat warning issued last Friday for the Ottawa-Gatineau region should last until Thursday night, according to Environment Canada. Special air quality statements also linger Tuesday in western Quebec.

Environment Canada is warning of poor air quality and extreme heat in Toronto on Monday as southern Ontario braces for a week filled with hot and humid weather.