Air Quality
Smog is a mixture of air pollutants, primarily originating from vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants. The air quality health index (AQHI) and air quality alerts provide you with information about local air quality and advice on how to protect your health.
Poor air quality can have negative health impacts, particularly on your heart and lungs, and may worsen many chronic diseases. Some people are more vulnerable to smog including young children, older adults, outdoor workers, people who exercise outdoors, and people with chronic conditions, including heart disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help you understand what the quality of the air around you means to your health. The AQHI is a number from 1 to 10. The higher the number, the greater the health risk.
When a high AQHI is forecasted, Environment Canada will issue a smog and air health advisory. To reduce your exposure to smog and its potential health effects:
- Check the AQHI forecast daily, especially during “smog season” from April to September.
- Sign up to receive smog and other air quality alerts.
- Avoid or reduce strenuous outdoor activities when smog levels are high, especially during the afternoon when ground-level ozone reaches its peak. Choose indoor activities instead.
- If you have a heart or lung condition, talk to your healthcare professional about additional ways to protect your health when smog levels are high.
Discussing Air Quality with Children
Let Indi the Caterpillar teach you about air quality! Indi and her friends will teach you about air pollution and what it means to your health. You will learn how to use the AQHI scale to determine which days are best to play outside and which days are best to stay indoors.
Find an Indoor Public Centre Near you
Contact your municipality for details on local indoor public centres with filtered air.
Emergency Preparedness
Learn how to protect your health and safety in other emergencies.
