Air Quality

The AQHI is a tool that helps us understand our local air quality and what it means to our health. It measures common air pollutants known to cause health problems and provides a AQHI rating from 1 to 10, depending on the potential health risk of the air pollution level.

The higher the AQHI, the greater the health risk.

Before heading outdoors, check your local AQHI forecast.

• Plan outdoor activities during times when the air quality is better.
• If you or someone in your care is at higher risk of health problems when exposed to air pollution, pay attention to the health messages for at-risk populations.

*Unsure if you are at risk? Consult this health guide to help you determine if you are at risk from air pollution. People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Environment and Climate Change Canada, issues the following alerts:

• Special Air Quality Statement (SAQS): A SAQS will be issued when the AQHI is forecast to reach the high risk category (an AQHI of 7 or greater).
• Air Quality Warning (AQW): An AQW will be issued when the AQHI is forecast to reach, or has reached, the very high risk category (AQHI of 10+) due to wildfire smoke.
• Termination Notice: A termination notice is issued once the air quality alert has ended.
• Frequently asked questions

Subscribe to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks air quality alerts

Resources

• Air Quality Ontario
• Health Effects of Air Pollution - Health Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada - Air Quality Health Index 

• The 20/20 Planner - A practical guide to cutting energy use at home and on the road by 20 per cent
• Durham Greener Homes
• Durham TREES
• LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests)

Who is at risk?

• Older adults
• Indigenous Peoples
• People living in rural and remote areas
• Pregnant people
• People who smoke
• Infants and young children
• People who work outdoors
• People involved in strenuous outdoor exercise
• People living in situations of lower socio-economic status, such as:
• those with lower income
• those with lower education
• those experiencing housing insecurity
• those experiencing uncertain employment
• People with an existing illness or chronic health conditions, such as:
• cancer
• diabetes
• lung or heart conditions
• Speak with your health care provider about developing a management plan for wildfire smoke events and maintain a supply of necessary medications at home; always carry these medications with you during wildfire season.
• At-risk populations should stay indoors if they have conditions that could be exacerbated from wildfire smoke.
• Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you or someone in your care feel unwell.
• Contact your health care provider or local health authority if you develop severe symptoms or need advice.

• Keep windows and doors closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable.
• Consult with an HVAC professional on optimizing your system and its filtration capabilities (using the highest rated filter that the HVAC system can handle).
• Use a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system based on the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Use recirculation settings on your HVAC system to prevent smoke from entering.
• You may choose to use an air purifier that uses HEPA filtration to remove smoke from your home/workplace.
• Take a break from the smoke at a location in your community where you can find clean, cool air such as community centres, libraries, and shopping malls.
• Drink plenty of water to help your body cope with the smoke.
• If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke. It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.
• If working outdoors, consult with your supervisor or occupational health and safety representative for information on working safely outdoors.

If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health.

• Respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke.
• If you must remove your respirator, try to move to an area with cleaner air before removing it.
• It is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.
• Respirators should not be used by:
  • Children under the age of two.
  • Individuals who have trouble breathing while wearing a respirator.
  • Individuals who have difficulty (putting on or) removing a respirator.

Milder and more common symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• Headaches
• A mild cough
• Production of phlegm
• Sore and watery eyes
• Nose, throat, and sinus irritation

You can typically manage these symptoms without medical intervention.

More serious symptoms of smoke exposure include:

• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Severe cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing (including asthma attacks)
• Heart palpitations (irregular heart beat)

Exposure to wildfire smoke can exacerbate existing lung and heart diseases, including:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Congestive heart failure

Less commonly, exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Premature death

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to a health care provider or seek urgent medical attention. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 and seek immediate medical assistance.

Resources

• If you experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression related to wildfires or climate change, contact your mental health care provider for advice, or visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
• Health Canada: Wildfire smoke with extreme heat
• Health Canada: Wildfire smoke, air quality and your health: Overview
• Health Canada: Guidance for cleaner air spaces during wildfire smoke events
• Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire smoke and your health 
• Wildfire smoke 101: How to prepare for wildfire smoke 
• Wildfire smoke 101: Combined wildfire smoke and heat 
• Wildfire smoke 101: Using an air purifier to filter wildfire smoke 
• Infographic: Protecting your indoor air from outdoor pollutants 

To monitor your local conditions and subscribe to alerts

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)

Indoor air quality resources

• Air quality in your home - Canadian Lung Association
• Improve indoor air quality in your home - Health Canada

It is important for every homeowner to test their home for radon, regardless of where they live. Radon levels can vary, even between homes on the same street. Since radon has no colour, odour, or taste, the only way to know your exposure level is to test for radon.

Radon is easy to test for and kits are available online and in stores. To get a more accurate picture of radon levels in your home, test for a minimum of three months over the winter, when you are less likely to have open windows.

Learn more about radon testing

Buy an approved radon test kit online

• Find a certified radon mitigation contractor
• Take Action on Radon