Environment Canada has ended a special air quality statement for Durham and York region that warned of a potential increase in air pollution.
The statement issued on Monday warned that hot temperatures and a southerly wind were expected to cause an increase of ground-level concentration. Environment Canada says there was also the potential for brief, but high risk Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values.
Respirologist Adarsh Tailor says when a smog alert or special air quality statement is issued, it's something that shouldn't be ignored. He says people with pre-existing lung conditions, seniors and young children are most at risk.
“When the air quality deteriorates, what's happening is the particles of pollution in the air are increased and when people breathe these in, it makes their symptoms worse – cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, irritation of the eyes and mouth, causing more mucus production.”
When an alert is in place, anyone at risk should avoid exerting themselves.
Environment Canada is helping people understand air quality with a new website that shows a scale from one to 10; the higher the number the higher the risk.
“They basically put it on a scale, so we as a community can look at those numbers and get an indication as to whether we should be outside doing strenuous activity or not,” says smoking cessation coordinator Jinny Myles.
Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change also has a website dedicated to air quality –providing the public with information on forecasts, current readings and other useful information.
