Air Quality Health Index (Canada)

Wildfire smoke is an increasing threat to Canadians' health

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 28, 2023
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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
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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.

ITRI Named a Double Winner at Edison Awards 2022

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 25, 2022
Dentistry, SpaceX, Awareness, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Technology, Elective surgery, Edison Awards, Marketing, COVID-19, Cisco Systems, Silver, Award, Science, Multilateralism, Creativity, TSMC, UMC, Director general, Patient, Regenerative medicine, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Biomedical technology, SLM, IBM, 3D, ITRI, Diabetic retinopathy, Intelligence, Physician, Multimedia, Thomas Edison, DR, MIIS, Dow, Ophthalmology, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Medical device, 3D printing, Qualcomm

HSINCHU, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Awards , one of the world's most revered innovation awards, announced the 2022 winners on April 21 in Fort Myers, FL.

Key Points: 
  • HSINCHU, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Awards , one of the world's most revered innovation awards, announced the 2022 winners on April 21 in Fort Myers, FL.
  • This marks the sixth year that ITRI has won the honor, showing its creativity and consistency in innovating a better future.
  • "Being an Edison Awards winner is the number one honor for creating a successful, new game-changing product or service that makes people's lives that much better.
  • ITRI has by far outpaced the rest of our nominees with its continued work on innovating amongst many categories," said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards.

Lieff Cabraser and Sauder Schelkopf Announce Broad Denial of Defendants' Motions to Dismiss in Physical, Sexual, and Emotional Abuse Lawsuits Against Devereux Behavioral Health

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Legal, Professional Services, Orders, Pulitzer Prize, Devereux Foundation, Disability in Canada, Sexual abuse, Class, District court, Douglas v. U.S. District Court ex rel Talk America, Assault, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Court, Autism, LLC, Safety, Callous, Sex, Title IX, Offense, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Child, Distress, Intelligence quotient, Patient, Rape, Online gambling, Sex industry, Kairys

"This is a huge win for our clients," stated Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin, who filed the case with co-counsel from Sauder Schelkopf.

Key Points: 
  • "This is a huge win for our clients," stated Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin, who filed the case with co-counsel from Sauder Schelkopf.
  • "The only thing more horrifying than the nature of the offenses against patients uncovered here is their breadth.
  • We are very pleased with today's order from the Court and are eager to move the case forward, states attorney Joe Sauder of Sauder Schelkopf.
  • The complaints detail numerous incidents of abuse against children in the care of Devereux, including batteries, sexual offenses, emotional abuse, and rape.

Medicx Health Promotes Virginia Evans to Senior Vice President

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 17, 2022
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicx Health promoted Virginia (Ginger) Evans to Senior Vice President of Account Management and Analytics.

Key Points: 
  • SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicx Health promoted Virginia (Ginger) Evans to Senior Vice President of Account Management and Analytics.
  • Virginia has been a key leader and contributor to Medicx Health since she joined in February 2019 and has been instrumental in delivering strong campaign performance to our clients.
  • Virginia is also a great example of our culture, living every day as a humble, hungry and people smart team player."
  • Virginia has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has led insights and performance intelligence at companies like Sharecare and Quality Health.

ComplianceQuest Announces Strategic Partnership with Enhesa to Ensure Compliance Across Global Enterprises

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Environment, Solution, Risk, GLOBE, Air Quality Health Index (Canada), Health, Product management, QHSE, Patient, ESG Solutions, Organization, Partnership, Biophysical environment, CQ, Compliance, EHS, Salesforce, Risk management, Bank

As a result of this partnership, ComplianceQuest customers will have access to Enhesa's global regulatory content, helping companies comply with confidence.

Key Points: 
  • As a result of this partnership, ComplianceQuest customers will have access to Enhesa's global regulatory content, helping companies comply with confidence.
  • In addition, Enhesa customers can integrate with Enterprise Quality, Safety, and ESG Solutions provided by ComplianceQuest.
  • "Working with the ComplianceQuest team has been an absolute pleasure, and I am so pleased to welcome them into the Enhesa Alliances family."
  • "We are delighted to partner with Enhesa to provide global regulatory content to our customers," said Eric Morris, Head of Product Management for ComplianceQuest.