|
March 23, 2001 overlooking Kelowna.
Air Quality Advisory issued due to
smoke and dust |
Air Quality Advisory System
The Ministry of Environment regional office in Kamloops and the Interior Health Authority in Kelowna jointly issue air quality advisories during periods of deteriorated air quality. These advisories are meant to educate the public about air pollution as well as protect the health of the general population.
Air quality advisories are faxed throughout the Okanagan airshed to media outlets, hospitals, health authority, municipalities, regional districts, government agencies, fire departments, industry, agriculture and other participating organizations.
Air Quality Health Index
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a new public information tool that helps Canadians protect their health on a daily basis from the negative effects of air pollution. This tool has been developed by Health Canada and Environment Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and key health and environment stakeholders.
The AQHI is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health. It 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 also provides advice on how you can improve the quality of the air you breathe.
This index pays particular attention to people who are sensitive to air pollution and provides them with advice on how to protect their health during air quality levels associated with low, moderate, high and very high health risks.
The Air Quality Health Index communicates four primary things;
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A number from 1 to 10+ indicating the air quality. The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality.
- The level of health risk (Low, Moderate, High or Very High Health Risk).
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Health messages customized to each category for both the general and "at risk" population.
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Current hourly AQHI readings and maximum forecasted values for today, tonight and tomorrow.
Contact
For more information on Air Quality, please contact:
Nicole Marzinzik
Regional Services
250 469-8408
nmarzinzik@kelowna.ca
