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Opinion Column
Published on June 13, 2024 • Last updated 4 minutes ago • 3 minute read
Strathcona County Councillor for Ward 8, Katie Berghofer. Photo provided.
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As an avid camper, I am personally excited to be outdoors and experience the warmth and vitality of summer. Spending time in nature is invigorating and refreshing for me, and I hope it will be for you too. However, summer weather can bring its share of troubles, one of which is poor air quality. It's not always clear what an air quality advisory means or what it actually entails.
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As Albertans, we are used to smoky springs and summers. Wildfire season can begin as early as April and last until October. These fires produce smoke that travels thousands of kilometres and impacts local air quality.
When communities are affected by this smoke, local air quality data is collected and a local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is issued. Most communities in Strathcona County and across Canada use the AQHI as a standard measure of air quality.
In fact, you can easily find your local air quality rating for the day by visiting strathcona.ca. Look for the green leaf icon and number on the top right of the page (on mobile, it's on the bottom left after hitting the menu tab) – that's your AQHI rating.
The AQHI measures the health impact of air quality from 1 (low risk) to 10+ (high risk) for both the general population and those at risk.
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While everyone responds differently to air pollution, at-risk individuals (those with heart or lung-related conditions), children, and older adults should reduce strenuous outdoor exercise when air pollution levels are between 7 and 10, and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise completely when air pollution levels are 10 or above.
In the 4-6 range, you need to listen to your body: if you experience difficulty breathing or related symptoms, consider reducing or altering your schedule for that day.
For the general public, a rating of 10+ suggests reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity, especially if you have symptoms like coughing or throat irritation. For those in the lower ranges, it's best to monitor your body's response to outdoor activity and adjust accordingly.
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Here are some proactive steps you can take to prevent poor air quality:
Check AQHI advisories and plan your day accordingly. Stay at home or at a county facility, such as Millennium Place, during high-risk air quality advisories. Replace HVAC or air conditioning filters with specialty filters. Consider purchasing an indoor air purifier. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how to deal with them.
In Strathcona County, we take air quality seriously. It's a core part of our environmental framework that also includes water, land, biodiversity, waste and energy management. We work in partnership with the Alberta Capital Airshed and Heartland Air Monitoring Partnership to monitor and manage our air quality, so you can know that our AQHI advisories come from a local, trusted source.
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It's also important to note that poor air quality can occur even without the obvious signs of smoky skies. Air quality can be affected by dust, pollen, pollutants, and other invisible particles, so be sure to check your AQHI index regularly.
We hope you use the Air Quality Health Index to plan a summer of safe, responsible and fun outdoor activities, and we look forward to working with you to make the most of your summer experience.
As the beautiful summer months continue to invite us outside, Strathcona County is proud to offer a variety of events and recreational opportunities for all ages and activity levels. A complete list of upcoming events can be found at strathcona.ca/Calendar.
Katie Berghofer is a city councillor representing Ward 8. To receive her e-newsletter online, visit strathcona.ca/Ward8.
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