Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Wildfires produce dense smoke that can be a major source of air pollution. This pollution contains fine particles that penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, leading to health effects.

Smoke may be carried hundreds or thousands of kilometres from the wildfire zone. As a result, poor air quality may be present even when smoke is not visible or noticeable by smell. There is no evidence of a safe exposure level to many of the pollutants found in wildfire smoke. Even low levels of exposure can affect health, and health risks increase as smoke levels rise. 

While everyone can be affected by wildfire smoke, those at greater risk include:

• Infants and young children
• Pregnant people
• Older adults (65 and older)
• People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, or other chronic health conditions
• People who work outdoors
• Individuals participating in strenuous outdoor activities
• People living in situations of lower socioeconomic status such as those with lower income, lower education, experiencing homelessness and uncertain employment

Tips to reduce the risk of exposure to wildfire smoke:

• Check the Air Quality Health Index for your area at the start of each day to help make decisions regarding your health. The higher the number, the greater the health risk and need to take precautions.
• Stop outdoor activities and contact your health provider if you or someone in your care experiences shortness of breath, wheezing (including asthma attacks), severe cough, dizziness, or chest pains. You can also call Health811, a free Ontario Government Service that provides 24/7 health advice.
• Review your wildfire smoke plan and make sure you have enough medical supplies if the smoke continues to impact your community.
• Keep your medications like rescue inhalers on you.
• Check on family and friends who may be more susceptible to smoke.
• Be aware of your mental health. If you experience any feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, contact your mental health care provider for advice or visit this webpage for a list of resources.
• Avoid areas with heavy pollution like busy streets and industrial areas especially when the AQHI is higher. 
• Consider wearing a respirator
  • If you must spend extended periods outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitted NIOSH-approved N95 respirator (or equivalent) to reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke.
  • Three-layer cloth or disposable masks may provide some protection but are less effective than a respirator.
• However, respirators, three-layer cloth mask, or disposable masks do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke. Even when wearing a mask, it is important to listen to your body and reduce or stop activities if you are experiencing symptoms.

Note: Pregnant people and people with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions should talk to their health care providers before using masks for wildfire smoke.

• You can prepare your home by finding ways to keep the wildfire smoke out and to keep indoor air clean, such as:
  • keep windows closed when the indoor temperature is comfortable
  • do not smoke indoors
  • replace your furnace/central air HEPA filters regularly 
  • if you have an air conditioning system, set it to recirculation mode when outdoor air quality is poor, and bring in fresh air when outdoor conditions improve
  • if you have a portable air purifier, use it in rooms that you spend a lot of time in (avoid air purifiers that produce ozone).
  • if you have an HVAC system in your home, use the highest rated MERV filter for your system and set the fan to recirculate air constantly.
  • Go to a public facility with air conditioning, such as a library, shopping mall, or a recreation centre.
• For more information, visit canada.ca

Links:

• Download the AQHI Canada app to your Android or Apple devices.
• Downtown Windsor Hourly AQHI Readings
• Windsor West Hourly AQHI Readings
• Email AQHI Alert Notifications
• Air Quality Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index for Kids- Video