Smog, the grey or brown haze that sometimes accompanies hot days, describes pollutants in outdoor air. In urban areas, sources of pollution include cars, trucks and industry. Because pollutants travel through the air, pollution can affect air quality at great distances from where the pollution originated.
When high smog levels are expected, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change issues Smog Alerts.
Smog affects everyone's health
Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than others. Smog is especially harmful to:
- Seniors
- People with lung diseases and heart conditions
- People with asthma, bronchitis, or other lung conditions
- Children and pregnant women
Effects of smog on health include:
- Irritates eyes, nose and throat
- Causes wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties
- Associated with premature death
- Results in increased hospitalizations and visits to the emergency room or the doctor's office due to pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease and diabetes
Health risks may increase during high smog levels if you play sports or exercise outdoors, or are active outside (e.g., gardeners). When you exercise, you breathe harder than normal, bringing dirty air deeper into your lungs. You also breathe mostly through your mouth, bypassing the filtering action of your nose. If you are active outdoors when smog levels are high you may have difficulty performing at your best because your lungs cannot work at full capacity.
How to protect yourself during a smog alert
- Reduce your activity level if you have symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and/or difficulty breathing
- Avoid or reduce strenuous outdoor physical activity, especially in late afternoon
- Avoid or reduce strenuous outdoor physical activity such as running near areas of heavy traffic, especially during rush hour
- Check the air quality forecast for Hamilton
- Plan your day to limit activities that increase smog (for ex., do errands with friends, car pool to work, take the bus to work, work from home)
- Stay indoors if possible
- Drink lots of water and take breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned area if you work outside
- Check on neighbours, friends and family members, especially those who have health problems or live alone
- Call your doctor or go to the closest walk-in clinic or hospital emergency department if you have concerns about your health