The Spanish team practiced outdoors in New Jersey under dangerous air conditions, due to smoke from forest fires in Canada.
On Thursday morning, the players trained in East Hanover with the sun hidden by haze. The press was only able to observe the first 15 minutes of a session scheduled for one hour.
Meanwhile, Argentina trained in Marietta, Georgia, an area that avoided the effects of the smoke that the wind pushes from Ontario to the southeast.
Authorities recommended staying indoors or wearing a mask due to air quality levels between unhealthy and dangerous, even for people without health problems.
Dr Courtney Howard of the Global Climate and Health Alliance warned:
“These are high-level athletes who move a lot of air through their lungs…they really shouldn’t be training outside if air quality levels are in dangerous ranges.”
He suggested looking for indoor facilities with air conditioning.
Asked about this, FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation did not immediately respond. The smoke is expected to clear before Sunday’s final in East Rutherford at 3 p.m.
Air quality improved Thursday in East Hanover, from “unhealthy” in the morning to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the afternoon, according to the EPA’s Air Now. Particle pollution exceeded the WHO standard by more than seven times. The forecast anticipates a “moderate” level for Sunday.
Smoke from wildfires, which are intensifying with global warming, affects multiple systems in the body. It can trigger asthma and inflammation, according to doctors.
Mary Johnson, a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health, noted:
“It is not healthy for anyone to be in the smoke, especially if you exercise… even healthy people can have health effects.”
Luke Montrose, a toxicologist at Colorado State University, said the smoke contains at least 1,000 toxins, such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds, similar to those in cigarette or diesel smoke.
