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Smog Advisory Today: Even healthy kids are vulnerable. Smogisthedirectresultofhumanactivity–airemissions Othergroupsmayalsoexperiencehealthproblemsat fromourhomes,businessesandvehicles.Smogisayear- lowerlevelsofairpollution: roundissuethatcanaffecteveryone’shealth,butchildren– • Peoplewithlungdiseasesandheartconditions evenhealthychildren–areathighrisk.Kidsmayinhalemore • Peoplewhoplaysportsorexerciseoutdoors airpollutantssincetheytendtospendmoretimeoutdoors, • Pregnantwomen aregenerallymoreactiveandhavehigherbreathingrates • Peoplewithasthma thanadults. • Seniors Whatparentsshouldknow • Smokers Poorairqualitycanaffectchildren’slungdevelopment. Earlydamagecouldincreasetheriskofrespiratorydisease inadultlife. Childrenexposedtohighlevelsofsmogmaysufferfrom: reducedlungcapacity,morepneumonia,bronchitisandother lunginfections,moreasthmaattacksandworsesymptoms. WarningSigns Warningsignsthatsmog maybeharmingyour kidsinclude: •Difficultybreathing •Chesttightness andcoughing •Headache How canIprotectmykids? •Eye,noseand Listenandwatchforsmogalertsonthenewsespecially throatirritation duringtraditionalsmogseason–fromMaytoSeptember. YoucanalsosubscribetoOntario’sSmogAlertNetwork •Aggravationofrespiratory atwww.airqualityontario.comandreceivefreesmog diseases(suchasasthma) notificationsbye-mail. •Lowenergy Tofindthecurrentairqualityinyourcommunitygoto Formoreinformationontheimpactsofsmogonyour www.airqualityontario.comorcall1-800-387-7768(English); children’shealth,visit: 1-800-221-8852(French). www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/pubhealth/smog.html Ifasmogadvisoryisissuedinyourcommunity: Actionsyoucantaketoreducesmog: • Reduceoutdooractivitylevelswhensmoglevelsarehigh. Athome: • Avoidorreduceexercisingnearareasofheavytraffic, • Conserveelectricity becausemotorvehiclesareaprimarysourceofair byturningofflights pollution. andtheairconditioner • Ifyourchildsuffersfromasthmaorotherrespiratoryor whennotinuse. cardiacillness,speakwithyourphysicianabouthowto • Limittheamountof bestmanagetheircondition. woodyouburnin • Makesureyourchild’steachers,coachesandcamp yourfireplace directorsareawareofthehealthrisksofairpollution, orwoodstoveand andhavepoliciesinplacetoprotectthekidswhenair qualityisunhealthy. useonlythedry, seasonedvariety. • Ifyourchildexperiencesanybreathingdifficultiesor respiratorycomplications,contactyourphysicianorgo • Trymanual,instead tothenearesthospital. ofgasoline-powered equipment. Ifyourchildhasaheartorlungcondition,talktoyourhealth careprofessionalaboutadditionalwaystoprotectyour • Reduceyouruseof child’shealthwhensmoglevelsarehigh. oil-basedproducts suchaspaints, ReduceSmog, solvents or cleaners ReducetheRisk if you can avoid Wheneverweburnfuel, them. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), wecreatethepollutants which contributetosmog. necessarytoformsmog. • Ensureyouscheduleregularcarmaintenance. Weburnoilandgasto powerourcarsandto heatandcoolourhomes. Atwork: Reducingyourenergy • Takepublictransitorwalktowork. consumptionhelps • Encourageandfacilitatecarpooling. preventsmog. • Avoidtrafficcongestion. • Considerteleconferencinginsteadoftravellingtomeetings. PIBS5194e01 ©2008Queen’sPrinterforOntario