Denver’s Air Quality On Monday Was Among The Worst In The World
Yes, you read that right - Denver's air quality on Monday (Aug. 9) ranked among areas with the worst air quality in the world.
According to 9News, the data was recorded via air quality tracking website IQAir; Denver's air quality on Monday afternoon ranked as the second-worst among major cities, only falling behind Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for the worst air quality among any major city in the entire world.
With the addition of Monday's rankings, the Mile High City has now been ranked among cities globally with the worst air quality for three straight days.
Over the weekend, Denver experienced the worst air quality of any city in the world for several hours due to the heavy amounts of smoke that swept through the area from the raging wildfires to our West; on Saturday (Aug. 7), Denver's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 167, according to IQAir, which tracks the AQI in 94 major cities around the globe.
By U.S. standards, a higher number - in regards to AQI - indicates poorer air quality in a given area.
As the day went on Saturday, the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, eventually slid above the Mile High City to take the top spot among cities with the worst air quality in the world; the air in Johannesburg reportedly reached a US AQI of 178 on Saturday, Aug. 7.
So, how much longer will Colorado have to suffer under poor air quality?
The good news is that help seems to be on its way - in the form of a good ole' shift in the wind, according to a CBS4 weather forecast.
As per the report, while Tuesday's (Aug. 10) air quality will be "unhealthy for all groups", things should start to clear up by Wednesday (Aug. 11): "While smoke and haze will still be visible, it should be considerably less compared to early in the week."
For the latest information regarding air quality in Colorado, check out the Colorado Department of Public Health Air Pollution Control Division's Twitter page here.