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Kingston — Smoke plumes from forest fires in Quebec and northeastern Ontario have resulted in deteriorated air quality. Air quality may improve on Thursday before deteriorating again on Friday for the KFL&A region. Some of the Napanee area may experience poor air quality into the weekend. Air quality and visibility can fluctuate over short distances and can vary from hour to hour.
Wildfire smoke can be harmful to your health even at low concentrations; however, everyone responds differently. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears.
Everyone can take action to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke. Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or if you or someone in your care feels unwell. Drink water to help your body cope with the smoke. Keep your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable.
People with lung ailments, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
Mild and common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- sore and watery eyes
- runny nose and sinus irritation
- scratchy throat and mild coughing
- headache
Severe symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing (including asthma attacks)
- severe cough
- dizziness
- chest pains
- heart palpitations
Please contact your health care provider if you develop severe symptoms.
Some precautions that can be taken include:
• Protect your indoor air from outdoor pollutants. Ensuring good indoor air quality is especially important during periods of poor outdoor air quality. If you can, avoid smoking or vaping indoors, burning incense and candles, frying foods, and vacuuming.
• Keep your doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable. If you have an HVAC system in your home, set the fan to recirculate air constantly. If possible, use the highest rated MERV filter for your system (ideally rated 13 or higher). You can also use a portable High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air cleaner, if you have one available.
• Consult the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to check air quality conditions.
• If you spend time outdoors, consider wearing a well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95 or equivalent respirator) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face. This can help reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke. These fine particles generally pose the greatest risk to health. However, respirators do not reduce exposure to the gases in wildfire smoke.
• Check on people in your care and those around you who may be more susceptible to smoke.
Be air aware! Check your local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
More details on the alert are available on the Environment Canada website.
For more information on air quality, visit the Government of Canada website.
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