Depending on the length of time exposed, your health status, your genetic background and the concentration of pollutants, air pollution can:
Negative health effects increase as air pollution worsens. Small increases in air pollution over a short period of timecan increase symptoms of pre-existing illness among those at risk.
What can I do to protect my health and the health of my family?
Refer to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) regularly to check the air quality in your community before heading outside.
When the AQHI reading rises or you experience symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing or irritated eyes, you can decide whether you need to:
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is for everyone, it provides a number from 1 to 10 to indicate the level of relative health risk associated with local air quality. The higher the AQHI number, the greater the health risk and need to take precautions.
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) can be viewed online at the following government website and includes a link to AQHI smart phone applications.
https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/provincial_summary/ab_e.html
Each level of health risk is associated with a pair of health messages for at risk and general populations. It suggests steps we can take to reduce our pollution exposure.