Smog and the Environment What is a alert? Where does smog come from? not only affects human health, When widespread and persistent smog levels are Smog-causing are created by combustion, it can have harmful effects on the environ- forecast due to elevated ground-level ozone in particular from the burning of fuels such as oil, ment. Smog can damage vegetation and and/or fine particulate matter, the ministry gas and coal. A large amount of air comes For more information: decrease the productivity of some crops, informs the public by issuing two types of alerts: from and . Industries such as coal-fired injure flowers and shrubs and contribute electric stations in and midwestern United Smog Watch The Ministry of the Environment’s website to forest decline in some parts of . • A is issued when there is States are also a large source of air pollutants. at least a 50 per cent probability that More than half of our smog problem comes from www.airqualityontario.com Ozone can also damage synthetic materi- smog conditions will occur within the the United States. provides current AQI readings and als, cause cracks in rubber, accelerate next three days. air quality forecasts, as well as information on fading of dyes, and speed deterioration • A Smog Advisory is issued when there of some paints and coatings. As well, it is a high probability of elevated smog what to do when a smog alert is issued. damages cotton, acetate, nylon, polyester levels occurring within the next 24 hours and other textiles. or if smog conditions happened without The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s warning. website www.health.gov.on.ca provides Are you at risk? information on the health impacts of poor air Smog affects everyone’s health. Some When the weather changes, resulting in quality and what you can do to protect yourself. people are more vulnerable to the effects cleaner air, the ministry issues an advisory of than others. Those most termination notice. Subscribe to the ministry’s Smog Alert Network sensitive to smog include: and receive a free automatic email whenever a smog watch or smog advisory

• Young children Printer for Ontario ©2005 Queen’s PIBS 5099e ISBN: 0-7794-8167-4 is issued and terminated. • Pregnant women • The elderly Smog: a year-round issue You can get AQI readings from • Asthmatics In southern Ontario, particularly in and around the recorded telephone messages by dialing • People with heart problems urban areas, periods of smog occur most often 1-800-387-7768 toll-free or • Smokers from May to September. However, smog levels • People who work or exercise outdoors can be high during all months of the year. 416-246-0411 in Toronto. Here’s why: To obtain AQI readings in French, Warning signs that smog may be affecting dial 1-800-221-8852. your health: The key components of smog are ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Since ground- Your local radio and television stations • Mild breathing difficulties level ozone forms when pollutants (nitrogen oxides add smog watches and smog advisories • Chest tightness and coughing and volatile organic compounds) react in heat and to their weather forecasts. • Headache sunlight, high ozone levels generally occur on hot • Eye, nose and throat irritation sunny days between noon and early evening. Fine Smog and • Low energy or feeling unusually tired; particulate matter is formed from pollutants a chore that usually seems easy could released from factories, power plants and vehicles. Your Health prove more strenuous Therefore, unlike ozone, fine particulate matter • Aggravation of respiratory diseases levels can remain high day and night, throughout (such as ) the entire year. What is smog? What is the (AQI)? What do the readings mean? What you can do to reduce smog The term “smog” was defined more than three decades The Ministry of the Environment samples and analyzes Here are some actions you can take to ago to describe a mixture of and in the air. air across Ontario continuously and reports air quality Air Quality Index: Smog Pollutants and Their Impacts* help protect the environment and your Today, smog is a general term used to describe a readings to the public using the Air Quality Index, own health: mixture of air pollutants that is often seen as a or AQI. Index Category Ground-level Ozone Fine Particulate Matter (O ) (PM ) brownish hanging over our community on warm, 3 2.5 At home: • Conserve energy: Ontario’s energy sunny days. 0–15 Very good No health effects are expected Sensitive populations may comes from a mix of sources including in healthy people want to exercise caution gas, oil and coal-fire generators that emit pollutants. Save electricity at 16–31 Good No health effects are expected Sensitive populations may home year-round by adjusting the heat in healthy people want to exercise caution or air conditioner and turning off lights you are not using. 32–49 Moderate Respiratory irritation in sensitive People with respiratory disease • Avoid letting your , or any other people during vigorous exercise; at some risk engine, idle for long periods. people with heart/lung disorders • Reduce your use of -powered at some risk; damages very Smog is a mixture of air pollutants. The two main equipment. sensitive plants ingredients in smog that have the most impact on our • Avoid mowing the when air health and the environment are ground-level ozone 50–99 Poor Sensitive people may experience People with respiratory disease quality is poor. (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). irritation when breathing and should limit prolonged exertion; • Don’t use oil-based products such as possible lung damage when general population at some risk paints, solvents or cleaners if you can Ground-level ozone (O ) forms when certain pollu- 3 physically active; people with avoid them; they contain volatile tants (nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) heart/lung disorders at greater risk; organic compounds (VOCs), which combine in the presence of sunlight and heat – which is damages some plants contribute to smog. why smog is primarily a summer phenomenon, occur- The Ontario government’s automatic air monitoring • Get engine tune-ups and car main- ring mostly in southern Ontario. Ground-level ozone is a stations constantly analyze the quality of our air by 100 Very poor Serious respiratory effects, even Serious respiratory effects even tenance checks as advised by the harmful , and should not be confused with the measuring concentrations of smog pollutants (ground- and during light physical activity; during light physical activity; manufacturer. protective ozone in the upper atmosphere which shields level ozone and fine particulate matter) as well as other over people with heart/lung disorders at people with heart disease, the the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. key urban air pollutants: , nitrogen high risk; more vegetation damage elderly and children at high risk; At work: dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and total reduced sulphur. increased risk for general • Whenever possible, take public transit Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a mixture of population or walk to work. microscopic of , ash, dirt, dust and The results are translated into an AQI value that helps Ontarians understand the level of air pollution. The • If you use a car, don’t travel alone; metals in the air measuring less than 2.5 micrometers * Please note that the information in this table will be reviewed and may change. encourage and facilitate carpooling. in size (about 1/30th the diameter of a human hair). AQI value is based on whichever pollutant peaks at a given hour. • Avoid . It comes from industrial and vehicle emissions, brake- • Consider teleconferencing, instead of lining, tire wear, road dust, agriculture, construction AQI values are posted on the ministry’s air quality website Protect your health • Avoid being outside around high traffic travelling to meetings. and wood-burning. PM is primarily formed from 2.5 at www.airqualityontario.com, and are often reported by When air quality is poor: areas and during peak rush hour times to chemical reactions in the atmosphere and through fuel As always, consult your doctor for specific Ontario media outlets. AQI values are also available by • Avoid or reduce time spent outdoors doing minimize your exposure to smog. combustion. PM poses a health concern because it medical advice on how to cope with poor 2.5 calling the ministry’s information line at 1-800-387-7768, vigorous activities. • If you experience any breathing difficulties can pass through the nose and throat and get deep into air quality. or in Toronto, 416-246-0411 (English) or 1-800-221-8852 • Stay indoors if you can – a cool, or respiratory complications, contact your the lungs. (French). well-ventilated place is best. physician or go to the nearest hospital.