Smog Alerts and the Ontario Public Service

What you can do to help combat smog

Smog is a combination of airborne pollutants that affect our health and our natural environment. Most harmful are ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter that can enter our lungs. These contaminants come from vehicles and other gasoline or diesel-powered machinery, factories, chemical sprays, oil-based paints, airborne dust and other sources.

Make it a top priority

The Ministry of the Environment takes the lead in the day-to-day job of protecting the environment. Among its initiatives, it has developed a special program to warn residents when unacceptably high levels of smog are expected and the ministry forecasts a Smog Advisory.

In co-operation with Management Board's Green Workplace Program, the ministry is doing everything it can to reduce emissions that create smog from government buildings in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether at work or at home, the less energy we use, and the more energy efficient we are, the better it will be for the air we breathe. On smog alert days there are very specific actions we can take.

Checklist for facilities managers on smog alert days

• Set air conditioning temperatures three degrees higher in government buildings
• Reschedule lawn mowing, using pesticides and herbicides and leaf blowing
• Make sure equipment is turned off whenever it's not in use
• Restrict use of gasoline-powered equipment
• Avoid using volatile organic compound (VOC) products such as paints, solvents or cleaners
• Postpone refuelling government vehicles
• Avoid open burning

Checklist for all members of the OPS

Here are just a few things you can do to improve the air we breathe and to protect yourself.

At work:

• Consider teleconferencing, instead of travelling to meetings.
• If possible take public transit, or walk to work.
• Avoid traffic congestion.
• Work at home if it's feasible.

At home:

• Conserve electricity year-round by adjusting the heat or air conditioner and turning off lights you are not using.
• Avoid letting your car, or any other engine, idle for long periods.
• Reduce your use of gasoline-powered equipment.
• Avoid mowing the lawn when air quality is poor.
• Don't use oil-based products such as paints, solvents or cleaners if you can avoid them. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to smog.
• Avoid or reduce strenuous physical outdoor activities when smog levels are high, especially during the late afternoon. Do not exert yourself outdoors.
• If possible, stay indoors in a cool, air-conditioned environment.
• Get engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks as advised by the car manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
• Limit the amount of wood you burn in your fireplace or woodstove. When burning wood, use only the dry, seasoned variety.

Finding solutions to our environmental problems takes a concerted and active effort by all of us. But with each of us taking personal responsibility and setting an example, we can make a difference.

For further information contact:

Public Information Centre
Ministry of the Environment
135 St. Clair Ave. West
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5
Telephone: (416) 325-4000 or toll free at 1-800-565-4923.
Internet: Ministry of the Environment web site (www.ene.gov.on.ca)