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Air quality |
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In Toronto, it is estimated that air pollution is associated with 1,700 early deaths and 6,000 hospital visits every year.
High-risk individuals
Smog affects everyone's health. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of air pollution than others. Smog is especially harmful to:
- Children
- People with lung diseases and heart conditions
- People with asthma
- Seniors
People from this high-risk group may experience health effects at lower levels of pollution. Heart or lung conditions can become worse with poor air quality. Air pollution can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can cause wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties.
Health risks may also increase during high smog levels for those who play sports or exercise outdoors, or others active outside (e.g., gardeners). When you exercise, you breathe harder than normal, bringing dirty air deeper into your lungs. You also breathe mostly through your mouth, bypassing the filtering action of the nose. In addition to the above noted symptoms, people who are active outdoors when smog levels are high may have difficulty performing at their best because the lungs cannot work at full capacity.
Protect yourself on a high smog day
There are many things you can do to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors.
- Listen to your body. Reduce your activity level if you experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and/or difficulty breathing. Check the Air Quality Health Index to find out how best to protect your health.
- Plan your day to limit impact of activities that increase smog. For example, group errands/meetings together and refuel your vehicle only during non-sunlight hours. Consider ways to modify your day (e.g., car pool, take transit, work from home).
- Drink plenty of water and take lots of rest breaks preferably in the shade or in an air-conditioned area.
- Contact your physician or go to your nearest hospital if you have further concern about your condition.
Additional information
Toronto Public Health works collaboratively with other City divisions, other levels of government, industry, non-governmental organizations and the community in addressing air quality issues.
Smog forecast
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) monitors our air quality every day. They provide a rating of how clean the air is using the Air Quality Index (AQI).
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