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Ontario's Air Quality Health Index forecasts a high risk to air quality on June 7 and 8 in the region
Smoke from ongoing forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario has impacted the air quality in several regions of Ontario, including in Elgin County and Oxford County.
On June 6, Environment Canada issued a special statement for Elgin County to advise of the risk of smoke pollution. This statement was also issued for Oxford County on June 5.
As of 1PM on June 7, the Ontario Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks reported a low health risk (level 3) and moderate risk (level 5) in areas of the region.
The AQHI for the region is forecast to rise to high health risk (level 7-8) this evening through Thursday.
Residents in Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas are recommended to monitor the AQHI to evaluate the risk of smoke pollution to their health, as conditions and health risks could change quickly.
Wildfire smoke can harm health, even if you cannot smell it. Symptoms of smoke exposure can include sore or watery eyes, runny nose, eye irritation, coughing, and headache.
For the general population, it is recommended to reduce strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities. Also consider:
- Staying inside if you have breathing difficulties.
- Being sure the house does not get too warm when windows and doors are closed to keep smoke out.
- Wearing a respiratory mask (N95, KN95) when outdoors is not the best way to protect your health during a smoke event and can provide a false sense of security. (Updated on June 8 2023: This guidance related to masking during forest fire and smoke related events was aligned with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks at the time of publication on June 7 2023. The Ministry updated its guidance on June 8 2023. Click here for full details.)
Those who are at-risk – such as people who have asthma, lung disease or heart disease, or older adults, children, pregnant women, and those who work outdoors – may have a higher degree of health effects due to wildfire smoke and should evaluate their individual health risks.
The Air Quality Health Index calculates data from 39 air monitoring stations across Ontario to assess pollution-related health risks and air quality. Forecasts are posted hourly every day. The health index risk levels range from 1-3 as low risk to health, to above 10 indicating a very high risk to health.
Learn more about the Air Quality Health Index and levels of risk at www.airqualityontario.com or visit www.swpublichealth.ca/en/community-health/air-quality.aspx.
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