Special air quality statement issued for Port Stanley

Ontario’s Air Quality Health Index forecasts a high risk to air quality for Monday July 14

On July 14, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a Special Air Quality Statement for Port Stanley due to smoke from ongoing wildfires in parts of Northern Ontario and other areas in Canada.

Currently, the Ontario Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks reports a high health risk (level 10) and is forecasted to become a moderate risk (level 5) tonight and continue to be a moderate risk (level 5) through Tuesday.

Residents are advised to monitor the AQHI to evaluate the risk of smoke pollution to their health, as conditions and health risk could change quickly. Wildfire smoke can harm your health, even if you cannot smell it. Symptoms of smoke exposure can include sore or watery eyes, runny nose, eye irritation, coughing, and headaches.

For the general population, it is recommended to reduce strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities. Additional guidance:

• Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties and check on people in your care who may be more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution.
• Be sure the house does not get too warm when windows and doors are closed to keep smoke out.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening symptoms.
• Wear a well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) to limit exposure to fine particles in the smoke if you must spend time outdoors. While supplies last, N95s are available at Southwestern Public Health locations and local libraries. Visit our webpage for a list of locations.

Those who are at-risk – such as people who have asthma, lung disease or heart disease, or older adults, children, pregnant people, 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 sign up to receive their alerts. You can also visit swpublichealth.ca/outdoorair.