Air Quality Health Index

Government of Canada: Updated 2024 wildfire season projections and preparedness measures

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Element, The Salvation Army, Risk, Climate, Wildfire, Life, Climate change, PHAC, Emergency, Face, Environment, Non-governmental organization, Private sector, Indigenous peoples, Public, Parks Canada, City, Public Health Agency, Health Canada, Forecasting, First Nations, Privy council, Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety Canada, Firefighter, NESS, WRFI, Safety, Air pollution, Hospital, ECCC, Health, Air Quality Health Index, Police, NGO, Federation, ISC, AQHI, Government, Organization, Indigenous Services Canada, Weather, EMAP, RFA, Biodiversity, HWF, GOC, Wilderness, Searching, Parliament, Natural Resources

Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) meteorologists continue to predict weather conditions for spring and summer 2024 that could lead to greater wildfire risks.

Key Points: 
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) meteorologists continue to predict weather conditions for spring and summer 2024 that could lead to greater wildfire risks.
  • To counter the growing threat of wildfires in Canada, the federal government will continue to support provinces and territories in wildfire mitigation, response, and monitoring.
  • We are making sure we have the capacity to support provinces and territories and mobilize resources when they are needed for the 2024 wildfire season.
  • With the 2024 wildfire season approaching, our government is ensuring that people in Canada have the tools and information they need to understand and manage the health risks associated with wildfires."

Wildfire smoke is an increasing threat to Canadians' health

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023
Smoke, COPD, Heart, Air Quality Health Index, Pregnancy, Travel, Asthma, Housing, Birth weight, Diabetes, Life, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, Wildfire, Gas, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Lung cancer, Fire, Toxicity, Attention, Government, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Death, School, Climate change, System, Risk, Preterm birth, N95, HEPA, Health, Air pollution, Library, Disease, Coal, Agriculture, Environmental remediation, Personal protective equipment

Air quality in Canada has improved over the past several decades, and Canada’s air is among the cleanest in the world.

Key Points: 
  • Air quality in Canada has improved over the past several decades, and Canada’s air is among the cleanest in the world.
  • But that progress is threatened by smoke from wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and more intense with climate change.
  • Canada’s 2023 wildfire season is the worst on record, with more than 5,800 reported fires and over 15 million hectares burned to date.
  • Wildfire smoke can travel long distances, exposing large populations — both close to and far away from fires — to very high concentrations of pollution.

The health impact of wildfire smoke

    • The toxicity of wildfire smoke also depends on the type of vegetation and burning conditions and may change as the smoke “ages” in the atmosphere.
    • This underscores the need to distinguish the health impacts of wildfire smoke from the impacts of other pollution sources.
    • Evidence linking wildfire smoke with adverse health effects has been accumulating for years and the notion that wildfire smoke is “natural,” and therefore less harmful than other types of air pollution, is not supported by the evidence.
    • The health effects of wildfire smoke likely extend beyond the lungs and heart.

Strategies to protect health

    • But there are strategies that individuals and communities can use to reduce exposure and health risks.
    • Before fires begin, those with chronic conditions can discuss strategies for managing their health with their health-care providers, and ensure access to necessary medications.
    • The Air Quality Health Index and smoke forecasts can help Canadians decide when these strategies are needed.
    • Multiple overlapping strategies are needed to mitigate the health impacts of Canada’s worsening wildfires.

Government of Canada Provides Update on 2023 Wildland Fire Season Forecast

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Minister, Learning, Privy council, Climate, Indigenous Services Canada, Air Quality Health Index, The Honourable, Face, Military, King's Privy Council for Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Firefighter, Wildfire, Parks Canada, First Nations, Banff National Park, Season, Ageing, Fire, Emergency, Climate change, Wilderness, Canadian Armed Forces, Carbon, Government, Parliament, Natural Resources Canada, Wind, Organization, Forecasting, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Investment, Risk, Smoke, MOU, Natural Resources, Indigenous self-government in Canada, N95, Weather, Federation, Environment, National Fire Danger Rating System, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Logging, Forestry, Nursing, Oil, Health, Atlantic Ocean

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada officials held a technical briefing to provide an updated forecast for the remainder of the 2023 wildfire season.

Key Points: 
  • Today, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada officials held a technical briefing to provide an updated forecast for the remainder of the 2023 wildfire season.
  • Most recent projections indicate a continued potential for higher-than-normal fire activity across most of the country throughout the 2023 Wildland fire season.
  • From response to recovery, the Government of Canada will be there as we navigate the remainder of the season."
  • Canada has also provided aid to international partners when they have been faced with intense wildland fire seasons.

Public Health Update on the Health Effects of Wildfires

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 19, 2023
Smoke, Indigenous Services Canada, Air Quality Health Index, N95 respirator, Travel, Depression, Heat, Diabetes, Atmosphere, Firefighter, Wildfire, Anxiety, Public Health Agency of Canada, AQHI, Fire, Climate change, Temperature, Government, Lung, Lightning, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Hospital, Risk, The North West Company, Air conditioning, Sport, N95, Local government in Canada, First Nations, Weather, Environment, NIOSH, Health, Public Health Agency, Health Canada, Mental health, Air pollution, Safety, Environmental remediation, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Personal protective equipment, Nursing, Coal

Wildfires produce thick smoke that can lead to both minor and more serious health issues.

Key Points: 
  • Wildfires produce thick smoke that can lead to both minor and more serious health issues.
  • This includes providing advice, health and environmental information to the public through the AQHI, as well as helping health jurisdictions create and manage cleaner air spaces by providing technical expertise, public health guidance, and air quality monitoring equipment when requested.
  • In response to a request from British Columbia First Nations Health Authority, Health Canada is procuring an additional 25 indoor air quality monitors.
  • Between 2013 and 2018 the annual economic valuation of the health impacts was estimated at $410M-$1.8B for acute health impacts and $4.3B-$19B for chronic health impacts.

Wildfire smoke FAQ: What’s happening with air quality right now and why? What are the risks? How do I protect myself short-term? What about long-term protection? Is this the ‘new normal?’

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, June 10, 2023
People, Prairie, COPD, Climate, Air Quality Health Index, Travel, Headache, Asthma, Atmosphere, Smog, Wildfire, Gas, Policy, Fire, Research, Tobacco, Cough, Pollutant, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HVAC, Air pollution, Climate change, Population, Haze, Cooking, Risk, Air quality index, Smoke, N95, Pregnancy, Health, Health Canada, Throat irritation, Coal, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Renewable energy

With wildfire smoke affecting most of North America, what are the best ways to minimize the health impacts of air pollution under climate change? Here are answers to some key questions about the ongoing air quality problems.What is happening with air quality right now? Many North Americans have never experienced local air quality as bad as it’s been this week.

Key Points: 


With wildfire smoke affecting most of North America, what are the best ways to minimize the health impacts of air pollution under climate change? Here are answers to some key questions about the ongoing air quality problems.

What is happening with air quality right now?

    • Many North Americans have never experienced local air quality as bad as it’s been this week.
    • The air quality has been poor across the most densely populated regions in Canada and the United States.
    • Based on analysis starting in 2006, the average U.S. population exposure to wildfire smoke is one of the highest estimated, and the highest over the eastern U.S. Air pollution levels, measured by the Air Quality Health Index in Canada, and the Air Quality Index in the U.S., have been considered high risk across much of Canada, and the eastern U.S.

What is causing the poor air quality?

    • This creates conditions that foster haze, smog and wildfires.
    • They have, during the worst air quality, swept smoke from fires in Québec directly into the most densely populated regions of the continent, contributing to record-breaking pollution in New York.
    • Those living nearest to the fires are affected by high levels of harmful particles and gases directly emitted by the fires.

What are the risks to us?

    • The current estimated cost of air pollution in Canada is $120 billion per year.
    • Health Canada estimates that air pollution is linked to more than 15,000 premature deaths in Canada every year.
    • Wildfire smoke, specifically, can cause throat irritation, coughing, headaches and can affect lung function even in healthy children.

What can we do to protect ourselves in the short term?

    • People can help protect themselves by paying attention to air quality alerts and follow associated guidance.
    • This guidance typically involves reducing exposure by limiting time outdoors when pollution is severe, especially for vigorous physical activity.
    • When outside, wearing a well-fitting N95 mask offers protection from smoke particles, but will not filter out harmful gases.

What can we do to protect ourselves in the long term?

    • So will further reductions in other sources of air pollution, along with wildfire management strategies.
    • Outdoor air pollution unfairly affects racialized and socio-economically disadvantaged communities, which also have lower access to shelter that keeps polluted air out.

Is this a ‘new normal?’

    • Those risks are projected to further increase over parts of North America.
    • We can hope this will not be a new normal, but, to prevent that, we need to act to reduce these risks.

What can we learn from this moment?

    • This moment shows the risks we face if we do not address climate change and air quality together.
    • Climate change is also a local health issue, and the greatest opportunity to equitably improve health of this century.

Wildfires are on the rise in Canada: how to keep outdoor workers safe.

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 26, 2023
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Occupational safety and health, Air Quality Health Index, Inhalation, Headache, Occupation, Drinking water, Occupational health and safety in the casino industry, Workplace, Wildfire, Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, AQHI, Health, Fatality, Visual impairment, Risk assessment, Respiratory system, Climate change, Risk, Carbon, Person, Government, Cough, Lightning, Index, Wind, Nose, Carbon monoxide, Recreation, Documentation, Dizziness, OHS, Work, Smoke, Water, Tornado, Particulates, Safety management system, Nausea, Weather, Death, Glass, Rain, Safety, Injury, Legislation, Exertion, Personal protective equipment, Medical device, Risk management, Lease, Property insurance

Conditions such as wildfires and lightning can put workers at great risk for illness and injury.

Key Points: 
  • Conditions such as wildfires and lightning can put workers at great risk for illness and injury.
  • Occupations, where workers are required to work outdoors in the summer, include farming, camps, construction, and landscaping.
  • Health and safety inspectors will apply and enforce these laws based on the facts they find in the workplace.
  • This is especially important for outdoor workers involved in outdoor recreation, construction workers, and road crews.

As the Warm Weather Returns, Air Health Check Helps Canadians Stay Healthy Outdoors

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Air pollution, Air quality index, Atmosphere of Earth, Air Quality Health Index, Pollution, Air pollution in British Columbia

Download the free Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Canada App to receive alerts about rising air pollution levelsthen plan your activities and protect your health!

Key Points: 
  • Download the free Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Canada App to receive alerts about rising air pollution levelsthen plan your activities and protect your health!
  • TORONTO, April 25, 2018 /CNW/ - Scout Environmental, PharmaChoice, and Running Room are pleased to announce the return of Air Health Check : a national campaign designed to help Canadians stay informed about outdoor air quality, protect their health, and lead more active lifestyles.
  • Air Health Check's primary goal is to teach people how to consult the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)a numbered scale that lets users know when outdoor air pollution levels are highestto better understand the connection between air pollution levels and their personal health and wellbeing.
  • Air Health Check is brought to you by Scout Environmental , Running Room , and PharmaChoice , with funding from the Government of Canada.