Air Quality Health Index AQHI

Posted June 8, 2023

Air Quality Update for June 8th

As you have heard, today is forecast to have the highest levels of poor air quality as per the Air Quality Health Index AQHI: https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/provincial_summary/on_e.html.  Please continue to monitor the AQHI readings and forecasts for your areas and adjust activities accordingly. This would include reducing outdoor activity or in some cases having indoor recesses at peak points in the day.   Here are the latest recommendations from Environment Canada that Public Health has forwarded to us: 

Air quality due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour. Given this variability, it is hard to advise in general terms exactly when certain precautions should be taken. There are, however, precautions that can be implemented to reduce health risks from and exposure to wildfire smoke and we recommend reviewing guidance available here:

Some of the precautions in the above resources are listed below: 

  • Limiting outdoor activities and strenuous physical activities
  • Look for breaks in the smoke to find opportunities to go outdoors
  • Set HVAC systems to recirculation mode when the outdoor air quality is poor, and bring in fresh air when the outdoor air has improved
  • Keeping windows closed when the temperature is comfortable 

Please  continue to monitor local Air Quality and Health Index readings and forecasts. There is a table available online here that lists all of the cities in Ontario and what the observed and forecasted AQHI readings are:

  • If the AQHI value is between 7 to 10 (High Risk), you should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors for the children.
  • If the AQHI is 10+ (Very High Risk) then  children should avoid outdoor physical exertion. 

Should schools have field trips planned please ensure there are strategies in place to limit exposure to the outdoors at peak AQHI times which could include shortening a trip and returning earlier than planned to the school or moving indoors where possible. 

Please also ensure that HEPA units are functioning properly, positioned in effective places in classrooms and working spaces, and that windows are closed during peak periods of poor air quality.

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