080418-airquality
By Gillian Slade on August 4, 2018.
An precautionary air quality advisory for Southwest Alberta has been issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS) due to smoke from the wildfires in B.C. People in the area should take appropriate precautions. While minor smoky conditions to not typically cause health concerns for those who are healthy there is the potential for temporary eye and throat irritation of eyes and throat, and shortness of breath. If you can taste and/or smell smoke in the air, AHS advises you to monitor your symptoms, limit physical activity out of doors, spend more time indoors with windows, doors, and air circulation fans/vents closed. If you are driving in a vehicle keep windows and vents closed. Run your car fan on the “re-circulate mode” to avoid drawing in outdoor air. For those whose symptoms become worse can call Health Link 24/7 toll-free at 811, to speak to a registered nurse. Air quality can and will vary with weather conditions and prevailing winds. Because air quality is expected to be variable, this advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Information about the air quality in many areas of Alberta is updated hourly on the Alberta Environment Air Quality Website: http://airquality.alberta.ca 9-8
