Toronto Downtown AQHI

At 5pm it was 5 (moderate risk).

https://www.airqualityontario.com/aqhi/today.php?sites=31129

#Toronto #AQHI #AirQualityHealthIndex

For a perfect example of what #BrentToderian had to say about the #CommonSense of #ClimateSmart #CityBuilding on our recent #ClimateLens show look no further than Calgary today where we again breathe the worst smoke on the #AQHI. #YYC now breathes ahistorical #smoke hours in the 100s per year

PODCAST: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/379646/link/

#abpoli #cdnpoli #ClimateChange #Wildfire #Smoke #SmokeYYC #yyc

Too funny not to share: 8 minutes prior to this screenshot, the #EnvironmentCanada #AQHI warnings we've had all day ended.

Then suddenly … they'rrrrrrrrrrre baaaaaack! 😂

#yeg
#yegaq
#yegwx
#AirQuality

This evening is a great example of the pragmatic uselessness of #EnvironmentCanada's #AQHI scale. It is a 1-10 scale but we've been officially at level "10+" for hours now, versus #EPA #AQI numbers showing steady increase in toxicity across the same period.

My area of the city is now currently pretty close to 300.

The garbage stinking inside after days of such excessive heat I could not manage to take it out from #disability and ongoing #access issues with our new ultra-tiny bin and rando strangers dumping til it is full? I'll be continuing to live with that for the time being as the foulness of the #AirQuality currently far outstrips my ability to clean it after leaving/re-entering my residence.

I just can't manage hours of avoidable coughing right now, especially as it tends to be so harsh that I can both vomit and lose contience.

The EPA numbers are very helpful for estimating personal risk in the moment. The "10+" from EnvironmentCanada? Not so much. 😐

#yegwx
#yegaq
#wildfire
#smoke
#ToxicAir

For the fifth day in a row, we're starting the day with the official air quality measurement (AQHI) for my area of Toronto saying "5 or Moderate Risk"

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, moderate risk means:

"No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation."

But according to my personal air quality device, particulate matter levels are dangerously high.

"Air is Polluted. Air quality is poor, and you may experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. The pollution may cause breathing discomfort on prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with heart disease or asthma. Try not to stay in the environment for a long period of time."

"Try not to stay in the environment for a long period of time.." Vs. "No need to modify your usual outdoor activities..."

I guess what they *really* mean is: "no need to disrupt your contribution to capitalism" while we slowly choke the life out of you.

#AirQuality #FireSmoke #AQHI #Toronto #Ontario #Canada #ClimateCollapse #MaskUp