Monitoring Air Pollution Levels in
Our Communities
Air
quality is measured on a scale called the “Air Quality Index.” The AQI program
is managed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The MOE conducts
hourly readings of the most common air pollutants year-round at 40 sites
province-wide and provides as many as six public reports per day. The AQI
translates pollutant levels into numbers to determine whether the air quality is
considered to be "good," "moderate" or "poor."
A Smog Advisory is declared by the MOE if forecasts indicate the AQI may exceed
a reading of 50 in a given geographic area.
Smog is a combination of airborne
pollutants that affect our health and our natural environment and most often
occurs on hot, humid summer days. Smog is formed when ground level ozone forms,
nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react together in the presence of
intense sunlight.
Smog
Advisories are usually issued between the months of May and September. During a
Smog Advisory, the public is advised to take precautions to minimize exposure to
air pollutants and to refrain from activities that could worsen air quality.
In 2007 Environment Canada piloted the new Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in
the City of Toronto and the initiative was expanded to the GTA on June 4th,
2008. The AQHI is a new national public information tool which measures the
combined health risk associated with local air pollution levels. The primary
purpose is to enable people to better protect themselves, and people in their
care, from harmful effects of air pollution. The Health Protection Division of
the Community and Health Services Department is co-ordinating the health
promotion of the AQHI to York Region residents in partnership with the
provincial and federal government and the Clean Air Partnership (CAP). The AQHI
is available at
www.airhealth.ca.
Currently, in York Region, there is one fixed air monitoring station located in
the Town of Newmarket. The index provides hourly,
daily and future forecasts of local air pollution. Residents are encouraged to
check it everyday. The Index is updated each hour so that individuals can check
the AQHI to see how they can best be protected from air pollution. The AQHI
provides different messages for those who are more sensitive to air pollution
(at-risk) than for the general population. The AQHI also forecasts health risk
so the public may modify future activities.
During a Smog Advisory or High Air Quality Health Index reading the following is
suggested to protect those most affected by exposure to poor air quality:
Avoid strenuous exercise and limit
outdoor activities
Reschedule outdoor activities
Keep away from high traffic areas
to reduce exposure to vehicle exhaust
Stay inside in a cool or
well-ventilated environment
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration
Seek medical attention for those
complaining of symptoms such as tightness in their chests, coughing, wheezing
or shortness of breath, excessive weakness or fatigue
Reducing Our Emissions from Fossil
Fuels
In order
to improve the health of our communities today and reduce the impact of climate
change in the future real action to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that
drive our vehicles, heat our homes and power our appliances is needed. Clean air
is everyone’s responsibility and we have the energy to reduce. We can make a big
difference everyday in helping to reduce air pollution and GHG levels,
including:
Conserving
energy:
Turn down the air conditioner and turn off
lights you are not using
Use energy efficient compact fluorescent
light bulbs
Install low-flow showerheads and aerators
in faucets to conserve water
Limiting the use of cars:
Walk
Cycle
Carpool
Take public transit
Carpool and teleconference
whenever possible
Link to York Region Water for Tomorrow
program
Link to smart commute
Turn off your vehicle engine if
you are stopping for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic. Idling for more
than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine.
Order your own free 20/20
The Way to Clean Air Planner Guide, filled with tips to reduce your energy
use, by contacting the Clean Air Partnership at 1-866-583-2020
http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/2020/
Planting Trees and Building Shade
are important factors in improving the environment by helping reduce pollutants
in the air and GHG emissions!
Conserving
energy: