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Air Quality Ontario

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

Air Quality Health Index categories, values and associated colours
Air Quality Health Index categories and values
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
+
Low risk
(1 - 3)		 Moderate risk
(4 - 6)		 High risk
(7 - 10)		 Very high risk
 

AQHI observations and forecasts

Current and forecast Air Quality Health Index for Ontario
StationCurrentForecast maximums
Thursday, 5:00 pm Thursday nightFridayFriday night
Barrie
 9
high risk
9
high risk
 4
moderate risk
 6
moderate risk
Belleville
 7
high risk
7
high risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Brampton
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Brantford
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Burlington
 10
high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Chatham
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Cornwall
 2
low risk
4
moderate risk
 3
low risk
 3
low risk
Dorset
 3
low risk
6
moderate risk
 3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
Grand Bend
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Guelph
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Hamilton Downtown
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Hamilton Mountain
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Hamilton West
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Kingston
 6
moderate risk
6
moderate risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Kitchener
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
London
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Milton
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Mississauga
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Newmarket
 10+
very high risk
9
high risk
 4
moderate risk
 6
moderate risk
North Bay
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 2
low risk
 6
moderate risk
Oakville
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Oshawa
 10+
very high risk
9
high risk
 4
moderate risk
 6
moderate risk
Ottawa Downtown
 2
low risk
4
moderate risk
 3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
Parry Sound
 4
moderate risk
6
moderate risk
 3
low risk
 5
moderate risk
Peterborough
 10+
very high risk
7
high risk
 3
low risk
 4
moderate risk
Port Stanley
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Sarnia
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Sault Ste. Marie
 10
high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
St. Catharines
 8
high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Sudbury
 2
low risk
3
low risk
 2
low risk
 7
high risk
Thunder Bay
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Tiverton
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 6
moderate risk
 9
high risk
Toronto Downtown
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Toronto East
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Toronto North
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Toronto West
 10+
very high risk
8
high risk
 6
moderate risk
 8
high risk
Windsor Downtown
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
Windsor West
 10+
very high risk
10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk
 10+
very high risk

Air Quality Health Index categories and health messages

The table below provides the health messages for each category of the Air Quality Health Index for the "at risk" population and the general population.
Health risk Air Quality Health Index Health messages
At risk population* General population
Low 1 - 3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Ideal air quality for outdoor activities.
Moderate 4 - 6 Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
High 7 - 10 Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.
Very high Above 10 Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

* People with heart or breathing problems are at greater risk. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.

AQHI readings and forecasts are also available on Environment and Climate Change Canada website.

You can also get AQHI readings from recorded telephone messages by dialing 1-800-387-7768 (toll-free) or 416-246-0411 in Toronto.