Peterborough Air Quality Considered High Risk
Written by Comms Team, June 5, 2023
Residents Advised to Take Precautions to Prevent Health Impacts
Today, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is advising residents to take precautions as outdoor air quality remains poor (at the high risk level) due to ongoing forest fires.
Smoke from forest fires throughout the province and from Quebec is present in the air in our region. Forest fire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations. PPH is advising everyone to take action to reduce their exposure to smoke.
People with lung disease (such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by forest fire smoke.
Those who are at higher risk of health complications due to air pollution are advised to,
- Avoid going outdoors altogether, especially for prolonged periods
- Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, which carry a significant risk of making underlying medical conditions worse
- Improve indoor air quality by cleaning or changing furnace air filters, using a portable air filter system, or creating your own Corsi Rosenthal box
- Wear a respiratory mask (N95, KN95) at all times when outdoors
Other community members are advised to,
- Reduce time spent outdoors
- Improve indoor air quality by cleaning or changing furnace air filters, using a portable air filter system, or creating your own Corsi Rosenthal box
- Consider wearing a respiratory mask (N95, KN95) when outdoors, particularly for prolonged periods
Visit www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values for the Peterborough region.
Learn more about indoor air quality and filter systems, https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/ipac/2021/01/faq-covid-19-portable-air-cleaners.pdf?la=en
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For further information, please contact:
Media Relations
media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca