Some Southland clubs, individuals remain active despite unhealthy air quality
About 20 young boys gleefully ran around the soccer field at Centennial Park in Orland Park Thursday, completely unfazed by the small haze in the air.
The boys were participating in Orland Park Sting FC summer camp that ran from Monday through Thursday, said coach Jake Kozak. Throughout the three-hour camp, Kozak said he gave the boys more water breaks as the unhealthy air quality felt more like a humid day.
“No one has been complaining,” Kozak said.
Throughout the Southland, people were outside walking, riding bikes and working out while the air quality was recorded at unhealthy levels for the third day in a row.
Since Tuesday, air in the Chicago area has been unhealthy as smoke from the Canadian wildfires moved into the Upper Great Lakes region, according to airnow.gov, a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies.
While the air is unhealthy, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous and long-term outdoor activities and consider moving physical activities indoors, according to airnow.gov.
Those without health issues should choose less strenuous activities, such as walking instead of running and shortening the amount of time outside, according to airnow.gov.
Orland Park Sting FC held morning and evening camps throughout the week, Kozak said, and the majority of children who signed up attended. The worst days were Tuesday and Wednesday, because the smoke made the air feel thicker, he said.
“The first two days it was like we were playing in a fog,” Kozak said. “I’m definitely doing more water breaks and give them time in the shade.”
The Flossmoor Baseball and Softball group that organizes youth teams, said it had postponed games that had been scheduled for Tuesday, the first day the air quality alert was in effect. The group said it had postponed games due to the wildfire smoke.
Ish Ish, of Bridgeview, said he decided to work out at Swallow Cliff Woods Thursday because the air quality was improving and he was feeling restless being cooped up inside for two days.
“We’re not going to stop ourselves from doing what we’re going to do,” Ish said.
The worst part about the air quality, Ish said, was it limited his family’s celebration of Eid on Wednesday. Typically, Ish said he and his family spend time outside at celebrations, but this year they spent more time indoors.
“We barely went. We didn’t stay out as long,” Ish said.
Kendall Kilhafner, of Lemont, went to Centennial pool right as it opened Thursday as a way to relax after working the night shift as a nurse.
People who have asthma or other respiratory problems should wear a mask outside while the air quality remains at unhealthy levels, she said.
When the air quality level reached unhealthy levels Tuesday, Kilhafner said she was more concerned about spending time outdoors. But, the air quality seemed to be a little better Thursday, so she wanted to go to the pool, she said.
“It looks a little bit better. I’m not as concerned as I was,” Kilhafner said.
