Air Quality Health Index
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) helps you understand what the air quality around you means to your health. The AQHI provides a number from 1 to 10 to indicate the level of relative health risk associated with local air quality.
- Use the interactive Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) map or download the WeatherCAN App to track air quality in your community.
- Depending on weather conditions these numbers can change various times throughout the day: access Alberta Provincial Summary here.
This scale is intended as a self-calibrating tool; people may use their own experience and symptoms as a guide.
The higher the AQHI number, the greater the potential health risk and the need to take precautions.
Occasionally during extreme pollution events, such as a wildfire smoke event, AQHI levels may reach 7 – 10, indicating High Health Risk, or 10+, indicating Very High Health Risk.
During an Air Quality Event
During an air quality event, all individuals living in or traveling within the affected area are advised to be aware of potential health concerns that can be associated with poor air quality conditions. Visit AHS Air Quality Events informational post to know how to identify the following symptoms when exposed to wildfire smoke, and how to reduce exposure and risks.