Edmonton’s air quality rose to a 9 on the Air Quality Health Index on Monday, a level that Environment Canada deems to be a “high risk” to people in the affected area.
The weather agency said under such conditions, people who have heart or lung conditions are considered to be “at-risk” and should “reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors” while children and elderly people should also “take it easy.”
The general population should “consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation,” Environment Canada said on its website.
The air quality was forecast to be at “moderate risk” for Monday night and for Tuesday in Edmonton.
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Global Edmonton meteorologist Jesse Beyer noted the Edmonton area “experienced a temperature inversion this afternoon.”
“This is when the temperature above ground is warmer than the surface,” he said. “When you have warmer air aloft, it traps particulate matter at the surface.
“With the light wind and temperature inversion today, all the car exhaust and industry smoke or steam was trapped at the surface and led to poor air quality.”
For more information on air quality in Alberta, click here.
Watch below: (From July 2019) The Children’s Environmental Health Clinic in Edmonton is the only one of its kind in Canada, caring for kids affected by indoor and outdoor air pollution and contaminated water. Su-Ling Goh reports.
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