A SMOG ADVISORY* has been issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for the following forecast regions in Ontario, Canada for Monday, May 28, 2012:
- Elgin
- Huron-Perth
- London-Middlesex
- Sarnia-Lambton
- Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent
Did you know?
- * 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.
- A Smog Advisory is related to the Air Quality Index (AQI), which rates how clean the air is.
- The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 100+.
- Higher numbers mean higher health risks.
- A Smog Advisory is issued in your region when the AQI is expected to reach 50 in the next 24 hours.
- It can be lifted once the AQI is expected to reach or drops below 50.
- Smog is made up of a complex mixture of air pollutants that are sometimes visible, such as a brownish-yellow haze over cities; sometimes not.
- The two main ingredients of smog are ground-level ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
- Smog is harmful to the lungs and heart.
- Even in healthy people, smog can reduce lung function.”
Air Quality Index (AQI) Category: 50-99 Poor 
, as shown in this Air Quality Forecast map:
The details of the smog forecast are as follows:
- During Monday, a southwesterly flow of hot and humid air is forecasted over southern Ontario with sunny skies.
- Air quality indices are forecasted to increase to the poor category, due to ozone, in southwestern regions.
- Good to moderate air quality indices are expected elsewhere across the province.
- During Tuesday, a cold front is forecasted to move eastward across the province.
- Mostly cloudy skies are expected with a southwesterly flow of warm and humid air ahead of the front, followed by winds veering to westerly and a cooler trend.
- Air quality indices are forecasted to be in the good to moderate categories in southern and eastern regions ahead of the cold front, and generally in the good category elsewhere.
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
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.
———————————
You may also want to know: