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Implementing theImplementing theAir Quality Health Index (AQHI)Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
in Albertain Alberta
Bob MyrickBob Myrick
Alberta EnvironmentAlberta Environment
September 2, 2011September 2, 2011
Why is Alberta adopting the AQHI?
• Direction from the Minister– Implement the AQHI in Alberta and also retain
advantages of Alberta’s former Air Quality Index
• Driven by stakeholder interest– the need for consistency across the country
• Collaborating with federal government to make the AQHI more useful for Alberta
What is the AQHI?
• A tool designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health
• It will provide you with the information you need to protect your health by:– limiting short-term exposure to air pollution
during air quality events– adjusting your activity levels during air
pollution events
What is the AQHI?
• Also provide advice on how you can improve the quality of the air you breathe– especially in urban areas
• Uses a scale of 1 to 10+ (similar to the UV index)
• Implemented across Canada
What is the AQHI?
• Provides current air quality conditions
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 +
Air Quality Health Index
Red Deer
Risk: Low Moderate High Very High(1 - 3) (4 - 6) (7 - 10) (Above 10)
CurrentObserved at1:00 PM MDT Tuesday 19April 2011
At-Risk Population• Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.• Find out if you are at risk.
General Population• Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.
2Low Risk
www.airhealth.ca
What is the AQHI?
• Provides an air quality forecast
www.airhealth.ca
Forecast MaximumsIssued at 4:00 AM MDT Tuesday 19 April 2011
5Moderate Risk
2Low Risk
2Low Risk
Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
Health Message Health Message Health Message
Who is at risk?
People with heart and lung conditionsare most affected by air pollution.
To find out if you are at risk, consultthe health guide, your physician, oryour local health authority.
Visit the national AQHI Web site tolearn more about the AQHI.
Did you know…?
To reduce air pollution, you should limitthe use of small gas-powered machinessuch as lawnmowers, leaf blowers,chainsaws and snow-blowers.
Standard AQHI Messaging
Health Risk Air Quality Health Index
Health Message
At-Risk Population*
General Population
Low Risk 1 – 3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.
Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.
Moderate Risk
4 – 6 Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms.
No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
High Risk 7 – 10 Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy.
Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
Very High Risk
Above 10 Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion.
Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
What improvements are being made for Alberta?
• Better account for rapidly changing air quality (e.g. forest fire smoke)– The AQHI value will change when there is an
exceedance of an Alberta air quality objective
• Because of our energy-based economy, more pollutants need to be included– Sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, total
reduced sulphur
• Contain special community-based messaging for odours and visibility
The National AQHI
• Based a three hour rolling average of ozone, fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide
AQHI=1000/10.4*(EXP(0.000871*NO2)-1
+EXP(0.000537*O3)-1
+EXP(0.000487*PM2.5)-1))
“Trumping” the AQHI
• If Alberta’s one-hour Ambient Air Quality Objectives are exceeded:
– the AQHI value will be replaced with the a value of 7 or greater and air quality will be rated as High Risk
– The AQHI will respond quicker to rapidly changing air quality
• forest fire smoke (high PM)
• smog events (high ozone)
Messaging for Odour and Visibility
• This additional messaging will be added if:
– the AQHI is Low or Moderate Risk; and
– the levels of pollutants exceed odour or visibility thresholds
• Community level messaging will be issued during visibility and major odour events
• While you may detect an odour or change in visibility or clarity, enjoy your outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms.
Implementation in Alberta
• AQHI is reported at 22 communities as of July 4, 2011
• Environment Canada is forecasting the AQHI at 5 locations– Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Fort McMurray
and Fort McKay
• Other areas of Alberta will have a forecast later in the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012
Fort McKaySyncrude UE1
Fort McMurray-(AV)
Anzac
Fort McMurray-(PM)
Fort SaskatchewanLamontEdmonton East
Edmonton CentralEdmonton South
GeneseeTomahawk
Elk Island
Fort Chipewyan
Cold Lake
BeaverlodgeGrande Prairie
HightowerRidge
Red DeerCaroline
Calgary NorthwestCalgary Central
Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
Calgary RegionAirshed Zone
PalliserAirshedSociety
Parkland AirshedManagement Zone
West CentralAirshed Society
Alberta CapitalAirshed Alliance
Fort AirPartnership
LakelandIndustry andCommunityAssociation
Wood BuffaloEnvironmental
Association
Peace AirshedZone Association
Legend AQHI Reporting Stations Other Ambient Stations Airsheds
Wood Buffalo Stations
Edmonton & Area Stations
* Stations include Alberta Environment, Environment Canada,and Airshed ambient stations, but not Industry stations.
Steeper
Bruderheim
St. Lina
AlbertaStations
Stakeholder Involvement
• Quick data submission from airsheds
• AENV and AH&W can educate stakeholders
• Stakeholders can, in turn, educate local stakeholders and the public
Public launch – July 13
Advertising
• Advertising campaign – July/August and November:
– Radio (link to radio)
– Television (link to TV)
– Newspapers
• Key Messages
– Air quality affects everyone
– Some people will experience a greater health impact
– There are actions you can take to protect your health
Summary
• AQHI is now available to Albertans– Alberta Environment web site (
www.airquality.alberta.ca)
– Environment Canada web site (www.airhealth.ca)
– The Weather Network (www.theweathernetwork.com)
• Public launch July 13 – advertising campaign
• The Alberta AQHI is an improved version
• Need stakeholder support for effective delivery
• Other provinces are watching Alberta’s progress
• AQHI Video (The Weather Network)
• Contact Bob.Myrick@gov.ab.ca
Questions?
Alberta - AQHI Development Team
IM&TStephen CurialFelix ChowWilliam Klein
IT ContractorsJudy HeilmanCarolyn WeissJonathan StachniakJay SkoropadQuan YuCorey W Klemmer Marc R St Onge
CommunicationsOgho IkhaloAngela BalecKevin Brown
Science, Evaluation and ReportingVernon RemeszDerek NalderMatthew Lynch
MonitoringHarry Benders
Air PolicyBob MyrickRichard SharkeyCrystal ParrellAndrew ClaytonJanine RossLaura Blair
Alberta Health and WellnessMerry TurtiakKarina ThomasMicky Elabdi
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