People with asthma, lung and heart disease are being advised to reduce or reschedule outdoor activities as smoke from wildfires roll across a huge swath of southwestern Ontario.
“I strongly encourage people with asthma, cardiovascular or lung disease, as well as children and elderly people to reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities over the next several days as the particulate matter in the air continues to be elevated,” Dr. Joyce Lock, the acting medical officer of Health for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, said Wednesday.
Lock’s statement comes as much of Ontario experiences the worst air quality yet this year due to smoke from forest fires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec.
Special Air Quality Statements were issued by both the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and the Brant County Health Unit on Wednesday morning.
The poor air quality prompted Brant County to cancel some scheduled activities including a seniors’ pickle ball clinic, Drop-In Park Picasso at Scotland Optimist Park and programs at the Paris Community Pool. Refunds will be provided for registered programs if they are not able to be rescheduled.
Soccer Tots was moved indoors to the Burford Community Center and participants in the county’s after school program were to remain inside.
Splash pads remained open while field rentals and outdoor amenities remain open and changes to programs were at the discretion of the user groups, the county said.
The air health quality is expected to remain in the moderate to high-risk level into Thursday morning.
Air Quality Health Index values are considered high risk when they exceed seven. In some areas of Ontario, including Grand Bend and Sarnia, the Air Quality Health Index was expected to reach 10-plus a very high risk.
Environment Canada said wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations.
People with lung or heart disease, older adults and children as well as those who are pregnant or work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke, Environment Canada said.
Common symptoms include mild irritation and discomfort, Environment Canada said.
Public health officials say those experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing including asthma attacks, severe cough, dizziness or chest pains should stop outdoor activities and seek medical attention. Anyone feeling unwell should remain inside.
The Air Health Quality Index can change rapidly and residents in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk can check for updates at http://www.airqualityontario.com/aqhi/index.php .
Conditions are expected to improve on Thursday night.
Lock said residents can protect themselves by drinking lots of water and keeping windows and doors closed if the temperature is comfortable.
Other ways to cope with the poor air quality include:
- Installing high-quality air filters in heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to remove air pollution from incoming air and set the HVAC system to recirculate the air constantly.
- Take a break from the smoke by visiting a location in the community such as the library that has clean, cool air.
- Those who have to spend time outdoors should consider wearing a well-fitted respirator type mask (N95, KN95).
- Avoid sources of indoor air pollution such as smoking, vaping, burning incense and candles, frying food, vacuuming and using wood stoves.
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