Much of Ontario is bracing for a hot and humid week, and poor air quality across the province may make for difficult breathing. Here is the 705, Environment Canada has issued air quality advisories for:
Barrie – Collingwood – Hillsdale
Bayfield Inlet – Dunchurch
Bracebridge – Gravenhurst
Greater Sudbury and vicinity
Huntsville – Baysville
North Bay – Powassan – Mattawa
Orillia – Lagoon City – Washago
Port Carling – Port Severn
Town of Parry Sound – Rosseau – Killbear Park
The advisories are the result of westerly winds bringing smoke from forest fires in northern Ontario. The smoke is causing or is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility and may extend into Tuesday.
Southern Ontario is also feeling the effects of the smoke. Toronto’s air quality is currently ranked second worst in the world, according to data from Swiss air quality tracker IQAir.
The combination of high temperatures and poor air quality can have a serious impact on your health. Environment Canada suggests that you limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.
People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution include seniors, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors. Be sure to reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.
If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.
When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. You can protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke by using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution.
Learn more at canada.ca/wildfire-smoke.
Visit airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.
