Ontario's Air Quality Health Index
AQHI Observations for Thursday, April 19, 2018, 5:00 am
The AQHI is a health protection tool that is designed to help you make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting your activity levels during increased levels of air pollution. It is based on the following pollutants in our air: Ozone (O3), Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
Maps: Air Quality Health Index by Location
Tables: Air Quality Health Index by Location
Current Observations and Forecasts
Note: The Air Quality Health Index on this web page are based on automatically polled data and have not undergone final verification.
Note: N/A (Not Available) denotes invalid or missing data.
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Categories
| 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 |
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Air Quality Health Index Categories and Health Messages
| 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.
