Province Launches Air Quality Health Pilot Program

Environment | Health Promotion and Protection

Published Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Nova Scotia marks Clean Air Day with enhancements to the Air Quality Health Index. The index has been available in the province since 2008, with hourly updates posted online. Until October, Nova Scotia will test a new Air Quality Health Index advisory system with notifications issued to local media and posted to Environment Canada's Weather Office website, if the index indicates an increased health risk.

Quotes

“We are taking action to make life better for families across the province. This new system will provide valuable information about air quality in our communities, helping to protect the health of Nova Scotians and our environment.” Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau

“The Air Quality Health Index helps Nova Scotians protect their health by encouraging them to be informed and, if needed, to adjust their activity level and their time spent outdoors.” Health Promotion and Protection Minister Maureen MacDonald

“The Annapolis Community Health Board is proud to be a partner in the promotion of the Air Quality Health Index. This tool provides essential information to residents with chronic disease and environmental concerns.” Wendy Knowlton, chair, Annapolis Community Health Board

“The Air Quality Health Index demonstrates the relationship between people and the environment. By providing information on actions individuals can take to better our air quality, we are improving the health of our citizens as well as our environment.” Judy McMullen executive director, Clean Nova Scotia

“The Air Quality Health Index provides useful information to people physically active outdoors. Recreation Nova Scotia is pleased to promote the Index to their partners and members. By using non-motorized and active transportation, Nova Scotians can decrease their contribution to air pollution while being physically active at the same time.” Rhonda Lemire, executive director, Recreation Nova Scotia

“This will be particularly valuable for people with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and will certainly result in positive health outcomes. We are thrilled to partner with the departments of Environment and Health Promotion and Protection on this exciting initiative.” Louis Brill, president and CEO of the Lung Association of Nova Scotia

“For seniors, especially those who spend time outdoors, the Air Quality Health Index can provide useful information on air quality and health in Nova Scotia. Seniors can be at higher risk to air pollution so the Index is particularly helpful to this population.” Valerie White, CEO, Department of Seniors

Quick Facts

The Air Quality Health Index is provided for Halifax, Sydney, Greenwood and Kentville and will extend to Pictou and Port Hawkesbury this month.
The new advisory system will provide an additional means of notifying Nova Scotians when air pollution levels become elevated. Nova Scotia's Air Quality Health Index typically resides in the low risk category.
The Air Quality Health Index is especially useful for Nova Scotians at risk from air pollution including seniors, children, those with heart or lung disease, and people who are physically active outdoors.
Nova Scotia is the first province to test this public advisory system. The system is being piloted in partnership with the Environment Canada and Health Canada.
The Air Quality Health Index, or AQHI, is a scale from 1 to 10+: the lower the number, the lower the risk.
The AQHI is updated on the hour, with forecast levels provided for the next 48 hours.
The Air Quality Health Index provides information on outdoor air quality and related health risk in the province.
The AQHI is usually a 2 in Nova Scotia, which is a low-health risk level, great for outdoor activity.
It is being rolled out across Canada. Here in Nova Scotia, the departments of Environment and Health Promotion and Protection are partnering with the federal government to implement the program.
To access the AQHI, visit www.airhealth.ca. Environment Canada's Weather Office website and the Weather Network also provide information on the AQHI.
People who want to receive Air Quality Health Index updates can sign up for Environment Canada's e-Smog Plus service.