Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Air Quality Health Index categories, values and associated colours
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
 

AQHI observations and forecasts

Current and forecast Air Quality Health Index for Ontario
StationCurrentForecast maximums
Saturday, 2:00 pm SaturdaySaturday nightSunday
Barrie
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Belleville
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Brampton
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Brantford
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Burlington
 3
low risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Chatham
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Cornwall
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Dorset
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Grand Bend
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Guelph
 3
low risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Hamilton Downtown
 5
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Hamilton Mountain
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Hamilton West
 5
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Kingston
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Kitchener
 3
low risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
London
 3
low risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Milton
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Mississauga
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Newmarket
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
North Bay
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Oakville
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Oshawa
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 3
low risk
Ottawa Downtown
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Parry Sound
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Peterborough
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Port Stanley
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Sarnia
 4
moderate risk
5
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Sault Ste. Marie
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
St. Catharines
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Sudbury
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Thunder Bay
 1
low risk
3
low risk
 2
low risk
 2
low risk
Tiverton
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 3
low risk
Toronto Downtown
 8
high risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Toronto East
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Toronto North
 5
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Toronto West
 4
moderate risk
4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Windsor Downtown
 4
moderate risk
5
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
Windsor West
 4
moderate risk
5
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk
 4
moderate risk

Air Quality Health Index categories and health messages

The table below provides the health messages for each category of the Air Quality Health Index for the "at risk" population and the general population.
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.

AQHI readings and forecasts are also available on Environment and Climate Change Canada website.

You can also get AQHI readings from recorded telephone messages by dialing 1-800-387-7768 (toll-free) or 416-246-0411 in Toronto.