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Ministry of the Ministere de May 2004 Environment I'Environnement Green Facts Ontario's Air Quality Index The Air Quality Index (AQI). introduced in 1988. gas powered lawn mowers, etc. People with respira currently measures and re[)orts on five key urban tory and heart problems are also encouraged to air pollutants: carbon tnonoxicie (CO), nitrogen limit their outdoor activities, if necessary. dioxide (NO?), sulphur dioxide (SOj), ozone (Oj), and fine particulate matter (PM?s). In communities Carbon Monoxide where odours may be an issue, total reduced sulphur CO (TRS) compounds are also measured and reported. Automobile emissions are the primary source of Improvements to the AQI were made in August this colourless, odourless, tasteless gas. CO enters 2002. when Ontario added PMzs to its AQI the first the bloodstream and reduces oxygen delivery to the Canadian province to do so. organs and tissues. People with heart disease are particularly sensitive. Exposure to high levels is This brochure explains what these pollutants are, linked with impairment ofvision, work capacity, where they come from, and what effects they may learning ability and performance ofdifficult tasks. have on the envirormient and on human health. Nitrogen Dioxide The Ontario government's automatic air monitoring NO2 stations constantly analyze the quality ofour air. NO2 is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent and The data results are translated into an AQI value that irritating odour. All hydrocarbon combustion in air helps Qntarians understand the level ofair pollution. produces oxides ofnitrogen (NOx). ofwhich NO? is AQI values are posted on the Ministry ofthe a major product. NO.- can irritate the lungs and Environment's air quality Web site at www.airquality- lower resistance to respiratory infection. Sensitivity ontario.com, and are often reported by Ontario increases for people with asthma and bronchitis. media outlets. NO2 chemically transforms into nitric acid and. when deposited, contributes to lake acidification. What is a Smog Advisory*? Nitric acid can also corrode metals, fade fabrics, The Ontario Ministry ofthe Environment issues degrade rubber, and cause substantial damage to smog advisories when widespread, elevated and trees and crops. persistent smog levels are forecast due to elevated 'Ontariohasa(wo-tieredsmogalertprogram ASmog ground-level ozone and/or fine particulate matter. Watch (introduced in2000) is issuedwhenwidespread During an advisory, Ontarians are encouraged to elevatedsmogisforecastwithinthenextthreedays ASmog limit activities which contribute to air pollution, Advisoryis issuedwhenwidespreadelevatedsmogis likely such as unnecessary trips in the car, using their tooccur within24hours Ontario PiriS 39.58<>fll Ministry of the Ministere de Environment I'Environnement Sulphur Dioxide Note: Ground-level ozone {O3) should not be confused SO^ with stratospheric ozone. Ozone in the stratosphere SO? is a colourless gas that smells like burnt matches. (15 to 50 km above the Earth's surface) is naturally Smelters and utilities (especially electricity generation) created and screens us from harmful ultraviolet are primary sources ofSO.'. Other industrial sources radiation. Ground-level ozone (described above) is include iron and steel mills, petroleum refineries, harmful to plants, animals, and humans. and pulp and paper mills. Health effects caused by exposure to high levels ofSO? include breathing Fine Particulate Matter problems, respiratory illness, changes in the lung's PM25 defenses, and worsening respiratory and cardiovas- Particulate matter is the umbrella term used for a cular disease. People with asthma or chronic lung mixture ofsolid particles and liquid droplets in the or heart disease are the most sensitive to SO.'. The air This includes aerosols, smoke, fumes, dust, ash pollutant also damages trees and crops. SO2, along and pollen. Fine particulate matter (PMzs) is partic- with nitrogen oxides, are the main precursors of ulate matter that is 2.5 microns and less in diameter. acid rain, a phenomenon that contributes to the It is also known as respirable particulate matter acidification oflakes and streams and the accelerated because it penetrates the respiratory system further corrosion ofbuildings. than larger particles. People with asthma, cardio- vascular or lung disease, as well as children and Total Reduced Sulphur elderly people, are considered to be the most sensitive TRS to the effects offine particulate matter PMjs is TRS compounds produce offensive odours similar to also responsible for environmental impacts such as rotten eggs or cabbage. Industrial sources ofTRS corrosion, soiling, damage to vegetation and include the steel industry, pulp and paper mills, reduced visibility. refineries and sewage treatment facilities. Natural sources include swamps, bogs and marshes. TRS The Ministry ofthe Environment (MOE) provides daily compounds are not normally considered a health AQI readings and smog forecasts for areas across hazard. Some people may experience nausea or Ontario on the Web site www.airqualityontario.com. headaches being exposed to very high TRS concen- Daily AQI values are also available from the MOE by trations. calling 416-246-041 1 in Toronto or toll free at 1-800-387-7768 (English) or 1-800-221-8852 (French). Ozone O3 For more information on air quality issues or Oj is a colourless, odourless gas and a major additional copies ofthis brochure, please contact the component ofsmog. Ground-level ozone is not MOE's Public Information Centre at 416-325-4000 or emitted directly into the atmosphere. It results from toll free (from outside the 416 area) at 1-800-565-4923. photochemical reactions between oxides ofnitrogen or visit us at www.ene.gov.on.ca. For more informa- (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the tion on Drive Clean, call 1-888-758-2999 or visit the presence ofsunlight. O3 irritates the respiratory Web site www.driveclean.com. tract and eyes. Exposure to high levels ofO3 results in chest tightness, coughing and wheezing. People with respiratory and heart problems are at higher risk. O3 causes agricultural crop loss and noticeable leafdamage in many crops, garden plants and trees.