High risk air quality in the Hat as smoke rolls in

By Peggy Revell on August 15, 2017.

Medicine Hat News

Air quality for Medicine Hat and most of Alberta was deemed very high risk Monday, due to smoke blowing in from the wildfires in B.C.

The special air quality statement was issued Monday morning, as smoke caused poor and reduced visibility, although air quality is expected to improve due to a cold front making its way across the province.

Air quality is rated on a scale of one to 10, with one being low risk and 10 or above being very high risk.

In Medicine Hat, air quality levels were sitting at a six and seven throughout the day, considered moderate and high. The forecast warned that it could increase to as high as 10, which is considered “very high risk.”

Coughing, throat irritation, headaches and shortness of breath may be experienced, notes the Environment Canada statement.

Fine particles in the smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and can lead to serious health effects.

When the air quality risk is above 10 it’s recommended that at-risk populations and the general public avoid strenuous activities outdoors, and outdoor physical exertion. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk.

The advisory states that, in general, wearing a mask is not the best way to protect your health during a smoke event. Masks may lead to a false sense of security, which may encourage increased physical activity and time spent outdoors, meaning increased exposure to smoke. They can also make breathing more difficult.

The air quality statement stretches from the southeast corner of the province west to the Cardston area, north to Barrhead and back east to the Saskatchewan boundary.