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