A SMOG ADVISORY* has been issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for the following forecast regions for Saturday, May 19, 2012:
- Algonquin
- Bancroft – Bon Echo
- Barrie – Orillia – Midland
- Belleville – Quinte – Northumberland
- Burk’s Falls – Bayfield Inlet
- City of Hamilton
- City of Toronto
- Dufferin – Innisfil
- Dunnville – Caledonia – Haldimand
- Elgin
- Elliot Lake – Ranger Lake
- Greater Sudbury and Vicinity
- Grey – Bruce
- Haliburton
- Halton – Peel
- Huron – Perth
- Kingston – Prince Edward
- London – Middlesex
- Manitoulin – Northshore – Killarney
- Niagara
- North Bay – West Nipissing
- Oxford – Brant
- Parry Sound – Muskoka – Huntsville
- Peterborough – Kawartha Lakes
- Sarnia – Lambton
- Sault Ste. Marie – Superior East
- Simcoe – Delhi – Norfolk
- Stirling – Tweed – South Frontenac
- Waterloo – Wellington
- Windsor – Essex – Chatham – Kent
- York – Durham
A smog advisory is in effect for southern, central, northern, and parts of eastern Ontario.
The details of the smog forecast are as follows:
- A high pressure ridge is forecast to lie over southern Ontario for the next several days as a low pressure system moves northeastward over northwestern Ontario.
- As a result, sunny skies and southerly winds are expected.
- With these conditions, ozone concentrations are expected to reach the poor category across most of the province for today, tomorrow, and Monday.
- A cold front is forecast to move eastward across the province during Monday, with southerly winds and sunny skies ahead of the front, and northerly winds and clean air behind the front.
Please note that advisories will remain in effect until further notice.
During the smog episode, individuals may experience the following symptoms:
- eye irritation
- heavy outdoor exercise may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath
- people with heart or lung disease including asthma may experience a worsening of their condition
* A Smog Advisory means that there is a strong likelihood that there may be poor air quality within the next 24 hours due to ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter.
Please click here for details on air quality in Ontario.
Spare the Air Actions
During a smog advisory, there are a number of actions that you can take to help spare the air.
Travel tips – all year round:
- leave your car at home – walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit
- tele-conference instead of driving to meetings
- limit car trips by doing all your errands at once, and do not let your engine idle
- keep your car well tuned, check your tire pressure and drive at moderate speeds
Health tips:
- avoid exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes
- consult your doctor for specific health advice
- wear light clothing at work while air conditioning is reduced
- avoid strenuous exercise in the heat of the day
Electricity saving tips:
- save electricity at home by setting your air conditioner temperature a few degrees higher (health permitting) and
- turning off lights you are not using
Other pollution reduction tips:
- leave lawn mowing for another day
- restrict the use of gasoline-powered equipment
- delay using oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners
Please click on the following text to:
Please click here for more info about smog.
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