“I think it’s a good idea to prepare for the effects of air pollution,” says Roshini Kassie of Health Canada’s Air and Water Quality Bureau.
This year, the wildfire season started very early in New Brunswick, but especially in Nova Scotia, where large fires raged, destroying 150 homes and forcing 16,000 people to evacuate.
Smoke knows no borders, Kassie reminds us, pointing out that this smoke can be carried hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.
For example, smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec can affect air quality in the Atlantic provinces. The problem may also be exacerbated by heat events like the one the region is currently experiencing.
This smoke consists of a complex gas mixture and, in addition to fine particles, also contains pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Wildfires are far from the only thing that can lead to deteriorating air quality. Ms. Kassie points out, among other things, the emissions from motor vehicles and the combustion of wood.
On Monday, the fire spread in the Mistissini sector in north-du-Québec.
Photo: Radio Canada
Everyone is at risk from air pollution, Health Canada’s spokesman notes.
However, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with heart or lung conditions are more at risk.
In fact, they are the ones who must do something to protect their health. But like I said, everyone is at risk, adds Ms. Kassie.
Limit outdoor activities
Mild symptoms associated with wildfire smoke exposure include headache, mild cough, eye pain and nasal irritation. More serious symptoms include dizziness, severe coughing, and chest pain.
To curb symptoms, Health Canada only recommends limiting smoke exposure and reducing outdoor activities and vigorous physical activity.
Smoke rises from the Tantallon wildfire near homes in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
Photo: Portal/Eric Martyn
Air pollution accounts for 15,300 premature deaths in the country, according to data from Ottawa. This pollution, which includes traffic, leads to the development and worsening of asthma symptoms in children and causes lung cancer in adults, according to Health Canada.
Environment Canada regularly measures air quality (New Window) in several cities across the country. On Friday, the Atlantic health risk was low in all communities in the region where air quality is measured, except for Labrador City, where the risk was very high due to wildfires in Quebec.
Health risks related to air quality are also very high in Montreal and Yellowknife on Friday.
With information from Karine Godin of Téléjournal Acadie