Outdoor Air Quality

Guidance for reducing exposure to poor air quality

During an air quality event, it is important to be aware of the potential health concerns associated with poor air quality and take steps to reduce your exposure. The U of A also takes steps to help reduce exposure, including adjusting building ventilation and outdoor campus activities.

Poor Outdoor Air Quality Causes

Common causes of poor outdoor air quality include:

• industrial processes.
• pollution trapped by atmospheric inversions.
• transportation/idling vehicles.
• wildfire smoke.

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The AQHI provides a number on a 1 to 10 scale to indicate the level of relative health risk associated with local air quality. The higher the AQHI number, the greater the potential health risk and need to take precautions.

Air Quality Health Index open in a new tab

Monitor Outdoor Air Quality

• Find out if you are a person at risk open in a new tab when exposed to poor air quality.
• Continue to check the Air Quality Health Index open in a new tab (AQHI) and monitor your symptoms throughout the air quality event.

During an Outdoor Air Quality Event

• At high and very high AQHI levels, consider reducing or avoiding open in a new tab strenuous activities outdoors depending on your risk level.
• Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
• Review detailed guidance and precautions from Alberta Health Services open in a new tab and Environment Canada open in a new tab.
• Visit uab.ca/emergency open in a new tab during high and very high air quality events, as the U of A may have related information available here.

Guidance for Campus Activity Managers + Supervisors

• Depending on the current AQHI level, campus activity managers should reschedule or consider rescheduling outdoor activities that require a higher level of physical effort. 
• Supervisors may need to implement controls for work that is going to be conducted outdoors for extended periods to ensure it can be conducted safely.
  • Best practices open in a new tab.

Outdoor Air Quality Resources

• Alberta Health Services: Health information on air quality eventsopen in a new tab.
• Alberta Health Services: Wildfire smoke and your healthopen in a new tab.
• Environment Canada: Air qualityopen in a new tab.
• Government of Alberta: About the Air Quality Health Index open in a new tab.