AQHI Categories and Health Messages
| Air Quality Health Index Categories and Values | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | + |
| Low Risk (1 - 3) |
Moderate Risk (4 - 6) |
High Risk (7 - 10) |
Very High Risk |
|||||||
| Health Risk | Air Quality Health Index | Health Messages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Risk Population* | General Population | ||
| Low | 1 - 3 | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. | Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. |
| Moderate | 4 - 6 | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. | No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| High | 7 - 10 | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
| Very High | Above 10 | Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
* People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.
Health Messages for use during Smog and Air Health Advisories (SAHA)
- Stay away from areas with automobile traffic.
Where possible, limit the amount of time you spend in areas where pollution can be elevated, like busy streets during rush hour and industrial zones, especially when you exercise.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population, Outdoor Workers, Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Stay indoors with central air conditioning.
At risk individuals may wish to identify an indoor space with central air conditioning they can use if the AQHI approaches, or is forecast to reach, a value of 7 or higher.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Plan to have needed medications.
Have an adequate supply of medication (more than 5 days) and develop a plan together with your health care provider for how to manage your condition during periods of poor air quality (for people with chronic disease).
Target Audience: Vulnerable Population
- Reduce strenuous activities.
When outdoors, if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce strenuous physical activities. If you experience irritation of eyes, nose or throat, shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms, you should take action to reduce your exposure to outdoor air pollution.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
Health Messages for use during Smog and Air Health Advisories (SAHA) and Special Air Quality Statements (SAQS)
- Avoid vehicular and industrial emissions.
You can limit exposure to air pollution by avoiding source emissions, where possible, such as on busy roads or heavy traffic areas.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population, Outdoor Workers, Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Eliminate indoor air pollution.
Eliminate indoor air pollution sources such as tobacco smoke and where possible, limit outdoor pollutants from entering the home by replacing your furnace/central air HEPA filters every 3 months.
Target Audience: General Population
- Check your local weather forecasts.
Be air aware! Check your local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- People with cardiovascular disease can be particularly sensitive.
People with cardiovascular disease can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.
Target Audience: Cardiovascular Disease
- People with lung diseases can be particularly sensitive.
People with lung diseases, such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be particularly sensitive to air pollution. They will generally experience more serious health effects at lower levels. Pollution can aggravate their diseases, leading to increased medication use, doctor and emergency room visits, and hospital visits.
Target Audience: Lung Disease
- Children and teenagers may be at higher risk.
Children, including teenagers, are at a higher risk from outdoor air pollution because when outdoors they are often active. Young people are more likely to have asthma and their lungs are still developing.
Target Audience: Children
- Older adults may be more sensitive.
Older adults may be more affected by air pollution exposure, possibly because they are more likely to have pre-existing lung and cardiovascular disease.
Target Audience: Seniors
- Plan to exercise when air pollution is low.
Active people of all ages who exercise or work outdoors are at increased risk to the health effects posed by air pollution. Be air aware and know the best times to be active outdoors by using the AQHI to plan your day.
Target Audience: Outdoor Enthusiasts, Outdoor Workers
- Reduce energy use.
Be air aware by turning air conditioners to a higher temperature and turning off lights, computers and other electrical appliances when not in use.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Pay close attention to medical symptoms.
If you are taking medication or have a health condition, please pay close attention to your symptoms and take a break if necessary.
Target Audience: Vulnerable Population
- Take extra care with children and the elderly.
Exposure to air pollution is particularly a concern for children, the elderly, and those who have underlying medical conditions such as lung or heart disease.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Reduce use of motorized vehicles.
You can help reduce outdoor air pollution by leaving the car at home and using a transportation alternative such as walking, cycling, carpooling or public transportation.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Avoid using gas powered equipment.
Avoiding the use of gas powered equipment, such as lawnmowers, also helps reduce outdoor air pollution.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Limit wood burning.
Be air aware and reduce outdoor air pollution by limiting the amount of wood you burn outdoors in your fire pit and by burning only dry seasoned wood.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Avoid chemicals that affect air quality.
Avoid using chemical based products in your home that can affect indoor air quality. Choose less toxic cleaners, paints, finishes and glues. Look for products labeled “VOC-free”, “zero-VOC” or “low-VOC”.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
Health Messages for use during Forest Fire and Smoke Related Events
- Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties.
Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help. If you open the windows you may let in more polluted air. If your home isn’t air-conditioned, consider going to a public place (library, shopping mall, recreation centre) that is air conditioned.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
- Be sure the house doesn't get too warm.
If your home is not air-conditioned, be sure the house doesn't get too warm when doors and windows are closed to keep out smoke. Exposure to too much heat can also result in illness.
Target Audience: General Population
- Wearing a mask is not the best way to protect your health during a smoke event.
In general, wearing a mask is not the best way to protect your health during a smoke event. In fact, masks may lead to a false sense of security, which may encourage increased physical activity and time spent outdoors, meaning increased exposure to smoke. Masks can also make breathing more difficult.
Target Audience: General Population, Vulnerable Population
