Clean Air Partnership

AQHI Monitoring in the GTA

WHERE ARE THE AQHI MONITORING STATIONS?
 
There are 11 air quality monitoring stations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. There are actually 4 monitoring stations in Toronto (Toronto Central, East, West and North and their AQHI readings are averaged into one AQHI number). 
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE AQHI IS WHEN THERE ISN’T A MONITORING STATION IN MY AREA?
 
The Air Quality Health Index is designed to measure the relative health risk of the air pollution mixture at a community level and monitoring sites have been selected to be representative of the surrounding community.
 
Air pollution levels can vary throughout a community depending on weather and how close you are to air pollution sources.  Areas close to traffic and some industries tend to have higher AQHI values. Areas downwind from these sources may also have higher pollution concentrations.
 
The AQHI provides a good measure of the overall relative health risk within a community and a good indication of the quality of the air in your area, even if you travel throughout your community during the day.
 
It is often best to use the AQHI closest to your location to act as a guideline for AQHI readings. For example in Peel Region there are 2 monitoring stations (Brampton and Mississauga) but residents in Caledon would likely check the Newmarket monitoring station to monitor readings closer to their actual location. For residents in northern Durham region they can choose between the Oshawa monitoring stations or choose the Newmarket monitoring station if they are in the northern part of Durham region. 
 
While it is important to pay attention to the AQHI as a guideline, you should always pay attention to your own symptoms and be aware of when you, or those in your care, need to take it easy. You can also reduce your exposure to air pollutants by changing when and where you are active outdoors by rescheduling outdoor exercise during times of higher air pollution or changing where you exercise to ensure that you avoid areas of high traffic.
 
HOW TO FIND THE AQHI NUMBER?
 
Plan your activities with the Air Quality Health Index in mind. Get into the habit of regularly checking the Air Quality Health Index rating for your area when planning your activities. 
 
You can do this by: 
  • Phone: For the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area AQHI forecasts call the Environment Canada weather line at 416-661-0123, choose your region and then choose the air quality option.
  • By Internet: Air Health Ontario Section.
  • The AQHI can also be accessed via the weather network http://www.theweathernetwork.com going to the Health and Environment tab at the top and choosing the Air Quality option and selecting your province and region or visiting the Ontario List of Monitoring stations.
  • By iphone: On your iphone choose the app store menu; search for aqhi, download app and it will automatically install on your iphone. The AQHI app is free of charge but you will need to log in via your itunes account.  Or visit the flowing url: http://itunes.com/apps/aqhi.
  • By Computer: widgets can be downloaded and installed on your desktop for easy access to the aqhi - http://mirtchovski.com/code/AQHI.html.
  • By Television: The Weather Network provides AQHI readings and forecasts on their local weather reports.