Parkland Airshed Management Zone
Air Quality Health Advisory LiftedEdmonton 2010/08/26
The provincewide air quality health advisory issued on Aug. 19 has been lifted due to improved air quality and reduced drift of smoke from forest fires in British Columbia.
“The air quality has greatly improved this week throughout the province,” said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “If smoke does drift into Alberta from British Columbia it’s not expected to be at a level that would be hazardous to health. In the meantime, I advise anyone with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema to monitor local air quality conditions before planning any outdoor activities.”
Only trace amounts of smoke may affect air quality in Alberta over the weekend, according to Bluesky, a smoke forecasting system used by Alberta and British Columbia. The smoke tracking system can be viewed online at www.bcairquality.com/bluesky.
Smoke and fine particulate matter in the air can be absorbed deep into an individual's lungs where it can aggravate existing health conditions. People with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, or cardiovascular conditions such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure may be most affected.
In co-operation with Alberta Environment, Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Health Services monitor the air quality throughout the province. Current air quality and the Air Quality Index (AQI) can be accessed at Alberta Environment’s website at www.environment.alberta.ca/index.html, by clicking on Current Air Quality (Quick Links) or by calling 1-877-247-7333.
B.C. Smoke prompts Alberta air quality warningEdmonton 2010/08/19
Albertans are being advised to take precautions against potential health risks associated with deteriorating air quality across the province, caused by drifting smoke from forest fires in British Columbia.
“I strongly advise people with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema to remain indoors, keep their windows closed and take any preventative measures their physicians have previously recommended," said Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Healthy people should also avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors while the local air quality is bad. Anyone who experiences difficulty breathing should consult their physician.”
Smoke and fine particulate matter in the air can be absorbed deep into an individual's lungs where it can aggravate existing health conditions. People with respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, or cardiovascular conditions such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure may be most affected. For more information on the health effects of wood smoke click on this link.
Smoke is expected to affect air quality in Alberta at least until Sunday, according to Bluesky, a smoke forecasting system used by Alberta and British Columbia. The smoke tracking system can be viewed online at www.bcairquality.com/bluesky.
In co-operation with Alberta Environment, Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Health Services will continue to monitor the air quality throughout the province. Current air quality and the Air Quality Index (AQI) can be accessed at Alberta Environment’s website at www.environment.alberta.ca/index.html, by clicking on Current Air Quality (Quick Links) or by calling 1-877-247-7333.
Residents can contact Health Link Alberta to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
