Air pollution is a key trigger of asthma and associated allergies. The Asthma Society of Canada (ASC) is committed to helping adults and children with asthma and associated allergies to breathe easier and recognizes the vital importance of clean air. Although it is not conclusive that air pollution causes asthma, evidence suggests that air pollution is a key trigger for its exacerbation. Due to this growing concern, the Government of Canada and its partners have launched a new national Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to help you protect yourself against the harmful effects of air pollution.
Air Quality Health Index
The AQHI is a web-based scale (available for a number of Canadian cities) which describes a local reading of air quality as it relates to your health. The AQHI is calculated daily based on the levels of a combination of air pollutants which are known to be harmful to your health. The AQHI reading describes a number between 1 and 10+. The greater the number, the higher the level of air pollution, and the greater the associated health risk. Alongside the AQHI are Health Messages which help explain the index, and provide recommendations on how to adjust your outdoor activity level based on the current reading.
The feedback and input provided by the Discussion Blog will help the ASC promote the AQHI to people with chronic respiratory diseases by incorporating the AQHI forecast in the existing ASC programs and services. This will promote better health outcomes by encouraging positive lifestyle choices based on current AQHI readings.