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Air Quality Ontario

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
Friday, 1:00 pm FridayFriday nightSaturday
Barrie
 2
low risk
10+
very high risk
 6
moderate risk
 10
high risk
Belleville
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
 7
high risk
Brampton
 3
low risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Brantford
 10
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Burlington
 3
low risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Chatham
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Cornwall
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 3
low risk
 7
high risk
Dorset
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Grand Bend
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Guelph
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Hamilton Downtown
 7
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Hamilton Mountain
 7
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Hamilton West
 8
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Kingston
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
 7
high risk
Kitchener
 9
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
London
 9
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Milton
 5
moderate risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Mississauga
 2
low risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Newmarket
 3
low risk
10
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 10
high risk
North Bay
 2
low risk
2
low risk
 6
moderate risk
 7
high risk
Oakville
 2
low risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Oshawa
 2
low risk
6
moderate risk
 9
high risk
 10
high risk
Ottawa Downtown
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
 7
high risk
Parry Sound
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Peterborough
 2
low risk
4
moderate risk
 6
moderate risk
 10
high risk
Port Stanley
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Sarnia
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Sault Ste. Marie
 3
low risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
St. Catharines
 10
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Sudbury
 2
low risk
2
low risk
 7
high risk
 7
high risk
Thunder Bay
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Tiverton
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10
high risk
Toronto Downtown
 3
low risk
3
low risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Toronto East
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Toronto North
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Toronto West
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Windsor Downtown
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Windsor West
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high 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.