The Periphat tool is meant to offer tips. It is not for emergencies. For an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergency related health advice, call 811.
Introduction
The air quality inside our homes can change throughout the year. For example, the type of indoor heating we use, like a wood-burning stove and gas fireplaces and stove tops, can affect indoor air quality during winter. In summer, wildfire smoke can worsen outdoor air quality.
Poor air quality is caused by air pollution inside and outside our homes. Air pollution is a complex mixture of gas and particles. Some air pollution is big enough to see but most air pollution is too small to see. Vehicles and machines that use gasoline or diesel as fuel, wildfires, and mould cause poor air quality. Pollution can come from various places and negatively impacts indoor and outdoor air quality. Pollution happens when there are harmful chemicals and particles in the air from things such as ozone, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (click on each word to learn more).
This pollution can be harmful, especially for babies before they are born. Air pollution may cause:
low birth weight (a baby may not grow as big as it should)
early birth
problems with how an unborn baby’s organs grow and develop. It's like trying to build a strong building with weak materials—it might not turn out as sturdy and healthy as it should be.1Rani P, Dhok A. Effects of Pollution on Pregnancy and Infants. Cureus. 2023 Jan 18;15(1):e33906. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33906. PMID: 36819435; PMCID: PMC9937639.
Climate change and air quality affect each other. Poor air quality (i.e., pollution) can make climate change worse, and climate change worsens air quality through:
Increasing the length of wildfire season and the amounts of wildfires due to hotter temperatures and dryer seasons
Increasing amounts of pollen in the air and making allergy season longer (also due to hotter temperatures)
Increasing seasonal floods, which in turn create a risk for indoor mould growing in people’s homes
There are simple steps everyone can take to help improve indoor and outdoor air quality, such as:
Using different ways of getting around besides personal cars, like using public transit, carpooling, biking, walking, or looking into fuel-efficient (or even electric!) cars
Turning off lights or unnecessary electrical appliances when not in use in your home would reduce your energy use and energy bill simultaneously!
Use your wood stove or fireplace only when necessary, if possible use electric fireplaces
This questionnaire asks questions to support you and your family/community’s health and well-being as indoor and outdoor air quality changes.
General questions (for each table):
The designers of this tool ask the following questions to ensure it is helpful to clients and families from diverse backgrounds, identities and life circumstances.
A) What causes poor air quality and how does poor air quality effect fetal development?
Poor air quality is caused by air pollution inside and outside our homes. Outdoor air pollution and indoor air contaminants are a complex mixture of gases and particles. Vehicles, appliances, equipment machines that use gasoline, diesel, oil, natural gas, wood or coal as fuel, wildfires, cleaning products and mould cause poor air quality. Pollution can come from various places and negatively impacts indoor and outdoor air quality. Pollution happens when there are harmful chemicals in the air from things such as smog, ozone, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (click on each word to learn more).
This pollution can be harmful, especially for babies before they are born. Air pollution may cause:
low birth weight (a baby may not grow as big as it should)
early birth
problems with how an unborn baby’s organs grow and develop. For example, inside the pregnant person, it can cause problems with how the baby's organs grow and develop. It's like trying to build a strong building with weak materials—it might not turn out as sturdy and healthy as it should be.
Please connect with your health care team, health care provider or a walk-in clinic for more information on air pollution for developing fetuses and young children.
Climate change and air quality affect each other. Poor air quality (i.e., pollution) can worsen climate change, and climate change worsens air quality through:
Increasing amounts of wildfires due to hotter temperatures and dryer seasons
Increasing amounts of pollen in the air and making allergy season longer (also due to hotter temperatures)
Increasing seasonal floods, which in turn create a risk for indoor mould growing in people’s homes
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a tool designed to help people in Canada understand what the air quality around them means for their health. The AQHI is continually updated and reports air quality in many locations on a scale from 1 to 10+. The higher the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality.
Health protective actions are customized at each risk level for both the general population and the ‘at risk’ population. People who are most at risk of health effects of wildfire smoke include: people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work or exercise outdoors.
The AQHI can be found on the Canadian weather website, the WeatherCAN app and other local weather forecasts. Using the AQHI daily will help you decide whether you should modify your outdoor activities or take other measures to protect your health and the health of others in your care.
There are simple steps everyone can take to help improve air quality in both indoor and outdoor settings, such as:
Considering different ways of getting around besides personal cars, like using public transit, carpooling, biking, walking, or looking into fuel-efficient (or even electric!) cars.
Save energy - In Canada, much of the home heating is produced by fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil). Using less energy for home heating and reducing your use of electricity will help clean the air.To learn more about improving air quality, visit GovCan What you can do to improve air quality
B) What are health risks and symptoms I should watch out for with poor air quality?
Poor air quality can impact health in several ways. The negative health effects will depend on three factors: 1) what is causing poor air quality, 2) overall exposure time, and 3) individual health and housing or neighbourhood factors. The tables below review some of the negative health outcomes associated with poor air quality.
Symptoms to look out for in an adult:
Symptoms to look out for in a pregnant person:
Symptoms to look out for in an infant/young child:
Mild symptoms:
Headache
Mild Cough
Runny nose
Eye, nose, and throat irritation
More mucus
Worsening asthma symptoms
If you are experiencing these symptoms, try and reduce smoke in your home first.
Checking the AQHI, paying attention air quality alerts
Limiting time outdoors.
Protecting your indoor air. Prioritize keeping cool.
if you can't maintain cleaner air indoors at home or don't have air conditioning to keep cool, contact your local jurisdiction or public health unit for information on cleaner air spaces in your community.
This also applies to pregnant people and children too. Though they need to pay particular attention to symptoms and seek medical help if needed
If you are unable to make your living space safe from outdoor air pollutants, spend time in a cleaner air space with good air filtration. If it is also hot outside, spend time in a cleaner air space that is cool or public cooling spaces. Talk to your healthcare provider, healthcare team or walk-in medical clinic on how to best protect yourself from poor air quality and extreme heat temperatures.
More severe symptoms:
Dizziness
Chest pain
Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
Severe cough
Wheezing (such as in an asthma attack)
Irregular heartbeat
If you are experiencing more severe symptoms, seek medical attention or call 911 if you think an emergency exists.
In addition to the symptoms an adult can have from poor air quality, please consider the following if you are pregnant:
Wildfire smoke can worsen existing heart, lung and diabetes conditions
Wildfire disruptions can cause emotional stress
Please contact your healthcare provider, healthcare team or walk-in medical clinic healthcare team for help.
Mild symptoms:
Headache
Cough
Runny nose
Eye, nose, and throat irritation
More mucus
Worsening asthma symptoms
See or call a doctor or nurse practitioner if your young child is experiencing any of the following:
Severe cough
Dizziness
See your local emergency department if there is:
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Heart palpitations
The level of consciousness is changing
Note: Children with respiratory infections will have worse outcomes if exposed to air pollution. They are more likely to be hospitalized with bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Do not hesitate to seek help if you suspect your child might be experiencing this.
Wildfire Smoke and Other Types of Pollution Health Risks
Exacerbation of pre-existing respiratory condition (ex. Asthma, COPD)
For children, increased exposure to wildfire smoke can damage the lungs, and increase the risk of developing asthma and bronchitis (inflammation of the airway) symptoms
Neurological
For children, increased exposure to wildfire smoke can alter brain development
Increased risk of stroke
Increased risk of dementia
Mental Health
mental health impacts during a wildfire: feeling anxious, isolated, sad, or stressed out is common
Ask your healthcare team more about the risks of exposure to poor air quality.
C) Who is most impacted by outdoor poor air quality?
Poor outdoor air quality, mainly caused by wildfire smoke, can affect people of all ages and health. Some people are more at risk of negative health impacts related to poor air quality. These people include but are not limited to:
Infants and young children
Seniors
Indigenous Peoples
Black, Indigenous and Other People of Colour (BIPOC)
People living with low incomes
Pregnant people
Those living with lung disease
Those with cancer, diabetes, breathing, or heart conditions
Those who work outdoors
Those who exercise outdoors
Those living in high air pollution areas
Those who smoke
It can be especially dangerous during wildfire season as smoke is usually combined with hot weather. If you or someone you live with identifies with any of the above, it is important to:
Talk with your healthcare team, a health care provider or walk-in clinic to know the risks and how you can best prepare for poor air quality
Ensure you have a good supply of medications that you always carry with you during wildfire season
Learn where to find information about local air quality conditions such as the AQHI, InfoSmog and air quality alerts and steps you can take to protect your health when air quality is poor
Call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency, or 811 for non-emergent health questions
Poor outdoor air quality can impact indoor air quality. Reduce outdoor air pollution from getting inside by:
When the outdoor air quality is poor, close windows and doors. Check that they have good seals around them.
If you can, install the best quality air filter that your HVAC system can handle
Use a portable air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, or If you don't have access to a ventilation system or portable air cleaner, you may plan to use a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air cleaner. There's some evidence that DIY air cleaners can be an effective option in short-term emergency situations. It's important to understand the limitations and safety risks associated with DIY air cleaners. If you choose to use DIY air cleaners: use a clean, newer (2012 or later), certified box fan with a safety fuse
keep the fan away from walls, furniture and curtains change the filters regularly during wildfire smoke events as clogged filters may cause the fan to overheat and lead to fires never leave the fan unattended while in use or while you're sleeping. Is is important to understand the limitations and safety risks associated with DIY air cleaners.
never leave children unattended when the fan is in use don't use an extension cord don't use a damaged or malfunctioning fan
If you can, turn on your air conditioning on hot days.
If you do not have air conditioning, you can run the fan only on your heating system to help filter the air in your home.
If air quality is poor outside and you do not have air conditioning AND it is extremely hot outside, go to a public cooling space that has a cleaner air space such as a library, shopping mall, grocery store, or fitness center. When outdoor air quality is poor, limit use of exhaust fans when not cooking or showering.
Make sure to check the AQHI daily; the air quality can be poor in the winter as well
If you can do so, try to have the best quality filter you can for your home ventilation system
Have an air cleaner and well-fitted N95 respirators ready
Children under the age of 2 should not wear face masks or other coverings, as they can make it difficult to breathe. Instead, it is important to keep them indoors if there is poor outdoor air quality.
Note: masks, air purifiers and furnace filters will only help reduce particulate matter levels. They will not filter out gases, such as ozone and VOCs.
If you exercise outside, exercise away from high-traffic areas
Talk with your healthcare team, health care provider or walk-in clinic about preparing for poor air quality.
Have an adequate supply of food and water before wildfire season starts (April - October)
Identify local cleaner air shelters
Screen your child’s care facility, summer camp, etc., to ensure they have adequate air ventilation, air purification/filtration, and contingency plans for poor air quality.
When the air quality is poor:
Follow the advice of local officials
Limit your time outdoors
Avoid outdoor activities
If you have to go outside, keep cool, drink water, and limit activity as much as possible
Keep windows and doors of your home closed to reduce indoor pollution
If the weather is hot and your home is too warm, prioritize keeping cool. If you don’t have air conditioning and it’s too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, go to a community cleaner air space such as a shopping mall, fitness center, or library
If your living situation makes it challenging to avoid poor air quality, move to a community cooling space such as a shopping mall, fitness center, or library
When the air quality is poor outdoors, polluted air can also enter your indoor environment. Everyday household items can also make your indoor air quality poor. Here are strategies to improve indoor air quality:
Reducing outdoor air pollution from getting inside:
When the outdoor air quality is poor, close windows and doors. Check that they have good seals around them
If you can, install the best quality air filter that your ventilation system can handle
Use a portable air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, or look at making a Do-It-Yourself Air Cleaner (BCCDC: Do-It-Yourself Air Cleaner)
Turn on your air conditioning on hot days.
If you do not have air conditioning, you can run the fan only on your heating system to help filter the air in your home.
If air quality is poor outside and you do not have air conditioning AND it is extremely hot outside, go to a public cooling space such as a library, shopping mall, grocery store, or fitness center. When outdoor air quality is poor, limit use of exhaust fans when not cooking or showering.
Improving indoor air quality:
Improve your home’s ventilation, which is the air movement into and out of your home. This is only appropriate on days when the AQHI is low
Test for carbon monoxide and radon (Link radon assessment tool found here: https://cane-aiie.ca/radontool/)
Turn your bathroom fan on during and after showering/bathing to prevent mould
Only if the outdoor air quality is good, open windows to improve airflow
Use kitchen fans/range hoods while cooking
Keep furniture away from heating sources and vents to increase airflow
If accessible, consider installing an HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system and changing the filter as per instructed.
