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Air quality: Recommended activities

What is Air Quality?

Air quality is a measure of how safe the air is to breathe. Smoke from wildfires or smog from pollution decreases air quality and can be dangerous to our health.

Adjust your activities during high levels of air pollution to protect yourselves and your family.

Aerial view of forest fire outside Chisasibi

What is the Air Quality Health Index?

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means for your health. It allows you to make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution.

View the index

What do the numbers mean?

Low: 1 to 3

Health risk: Low

General population: It is okay to do activities outside. 

At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems): It is okay to do activities outside.

 

Moderate: 4 to 6

Health risk: Low

General population 

  • Watch for symptoms – like trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.  
  • If you do not have any symptoms, it is okay to do activities outside.

At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems) 

  • Watch for symptoms – like trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes.  
  • You may want to reschedule outdoor activities, like outings for Elders or outdoor playtime for young children. 

High: 7 to 10

Health risk: High

General population 

  • Continue to watch for symptoms – like trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes. 

  • You may want to reschedule or limit heavy activities outdoors, like chopping wood or playing sports.

At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems) 

  • Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors when possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes. 

  • Avoid heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising. 

Very high: Above 10

Health risk: Very high

General population 

  • Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors when possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes. 

    Reschedule or limit heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising.

At-risk population (Elders, young children, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung problems) 

  • Continue to watch for symptoms and stay indoors as much as possible. Symptoms include trouble breathing or irritation in your throat or eyes. 

  • Avoid heavy activities outdoors, like playing, working or exercising. 

What to do if you have symptoms

  • Stop activity and stay indoors, make sure windows and doors are closed. 

  • If you have asthma or another breathing condition, use your inhaler as needed. 

  • Contact 811 (non-urgent) or the CMC if you continue to feel unwell or if your symptoms are severe. 

Info Santé 811

811 is a free and confidential telephone health consultation service available across Eeyou Istchee and Quebec. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A nurse at 811 will answer questions about non-urgent health issues.

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The Cree Board of Health recommends you wear a mask in certain situations to protect yourself and people around you.

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