Northern Ont. health unit launches new information dashboard on wildfires and smoke
The Timiskaming Health Unit recently launched a new dashboard on its website called 'Wildfires and Your Health,' where information on wildfires and local air quality is available.
On this dashboard, you will find regularly updated information on the level of wilefire smoke and air quality in the Timiskaming District of northeastern Ontario.
"We also have the predicted levels of smoke over the next couple of days as well on it," Timiskaming Health Unit epidemiologist Celine Butler said.
The health unit said that frequency and duration of wildfires is expected to worsen as impacts from climate change continue to increase.
Scientists have determined that wildfire smoke contains pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which can impact physical and mental health and overall well-being.
Long-term air quality monitors that measure ozone, nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5, and provide data for Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), are not available in the district.
"Last summer, we had a lot of smoke in our area from the northern Quebec wildfires," Butler said.
"We were frequently overwhelmed by smoke."
As part of a pilot project, 'PurpleAir,' sensors were installed throughout the district to monitor the air quality.
These sensors were installed by community partners across the health unit district to monitor for particle matter.
"The closest monitor that the government had was in North Bay," Butler said.
"That’s over 100 km away. So, it wasn't close enough to really provide great surveillance data and to provide the public with information that they could use."
The data collected is used to estimate an approximate AQHI value to help residents make informed decisions during periods of air pollution and smoke from wildfires.
"From an air quality perspective, you know, for the region, it is really, really nice that we have," said Temiskaming Shores Mayor Jeff Jeff Laferriere.
"It is some kind of update to make us aware of what's happening."
The health unit says young children, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions, like asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and congestive heart failure are more sensitive to the adverse effects of exposure to smoke.
People participating in sports or strenuous work outdoors may also be more susceptible because they are breathing air deeply and rapidly. Risks increase when smoke becomes heavier and as the length of time a person is exposed increases.
Exposure to smoke can cause sore eyes, tears, cough and a runny nose.
If the smoke lasts days to weeks or is very heavy, it can cause lung problems and a longer-lasting cough.
Exposure to smoke can also make heart and lung conditions worse.
People who are concerned about smoke can take the following precautions:
- Limit outdoor activities, especially if it makes you tired or short of breath
- Stay inside and keep windows and doors closed. If you have an air conditioner set it to “re-circulate” and keep it running to help filter the air and keep you cool. If you do not have air conditioning, if possible, try spending some time in an air conditioned place (such as a mall or library) to cool off
- Keep a close watch on at risk individuals, particularly those that live alone. Young children, elderly people and individuals with chronic conditions may be more sensitive to heat or smoke
- If you are in your car or truck, keep the windows closed and put the air system on “re-circulate”
- Limit any strenuous indoor activities if you have been exposed to smoke
- Avoid cigarette smoke
- If you have room air cleaners with HEPA filters turn them on
- Don’t burn anything, including wood stoves, gas stoves and even candles
"The smoke information, it can be used to make decisions on if you're going to go outside and do physical activity or not," Butler said.
For more information about smoke and air quality monitoring in the Timiskaming district and how to protect yourself, visit the dashboard and resource page on our website Wildfires and Your Health.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Israel intensifies bombardment of Gaza and southern Lebanon on the eve of Oct. 7 anniversary
A new round of airstrikes hit Beirut suburbs late Sunday as Israel intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza and southern Lebanon in a widening war with Iran-allied militant groups across the region. Palestinian officials said a strike on a mosque in Gaza killed at least 19 people.
Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
The cooking method you need to learn to get excited about vegetables this fall, expert says
'Eat more vegetables,' doctors and dietitians say over and over. But for many people, it’s hard to do, because they aren’t excited about veggies or just don’t like them.
Hurricane Milton is growing stronger as it blows toward Florida's Tampa Bay region
People across Florida were given notice Sunday that Hurricane Milton is intensifying rapidly and will likely be a major hurricane before slamming midweek into the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast.
New Far North hospital moves closer to being built after $1.8B design, build contract awarded
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.
Inmate dies following assault at Toronto jail, another prisoner charged
A 54-year-old inmate at the Toronto South Detention Centre has been charged in connection with a deadly jail beating late last week that claimed the life of a 69-year-old prisoner.
Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, dead at 63
Christopher Ciccone, a multihyphenate artist, dancer, designer and younger brother of Madonna, has died. He was 63.
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.