Alberta Health Services issues air quality advisory for Edmonton, days after similar advisories due to wildfire smoke

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued an air quality advisory for the Edmonton area, in full, due to smoke from wildfires in Washington state.

The advisory comes two days after the AHS issued similar advisories for the province’s south (Lethbridge, Medicine Hat), Calgary and central (including Two Hills, Drumheller, Lloydminister and Rocky Mountain House) zones.

AHS warned in the advisory on Wednesday that “individuals living in or travelling to the Edmonton zone are advised to be aware of potential health concerns that can be associated with current air conditions.” Even healthy individuals may experience temporary irritation of the eyes and throat and possibly shortness of breath, the AHS cautioned.

People with respiratory conditions (such as COPD and asthma), and individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions (such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure), may notice a worsening of symptoms due to the current air conditions.

Children and elderly people are also at higher risk of smoke-related illness, the advisory noted.

To reduce exposure to the current air conditions, all individuals can:

• Reduce presence of smoke in indoor environments:

o Close and lock all outside windows and doors, including attached garage doors;

o Turn down furnace thermostats and furnace fans to the minimum setting. Do not attempt to extinguish pilot light;

o Keep the fresh-air intake of air conditioners closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside;

o Avoid running fans, such as “whole-house fans” or “fresh air ventilation systems,” that bring more smoky outdoor air inside;

o Switch all floor registers to closed position;

o Close fire place dampers on wood burning fireplaces; and

o Do not use wood burning fireplace, wood stoves or other smoke-producing appliances or features, including candles.

• Keep vehicle windows and vents closed. Run car fans on re-circulate mode to avoid drawing in outdoor air;

• Reduce levels of physical activity, as necessary, to decrease the inhalation of airborne pollutants; and

• Not smoke tobacco, which puts added stress on the lungs.

Air quality can vary with weather conditions and prevailing winds. Because air quality is expected to be variable, all the advisories remain in effect until further notice.