1. Implementing the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in Alberta Bob Myrick Alberta Environment September 2, 2011

2. Why is Alberta adopting the AQHI? Direction from the Minister –Implement the AQHI in Alberta and also retain advantages of Alberta’s former Air Quality Index Driven by stakeholder interest –the need for consistency across the country Collaborating with federal government to make the AQHI more useful for Alberta

3. What is the AQHI? A tool designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health It will provide you with the information you need to protect your health by: –limiting short-term exposure to air pollution during air quality events –adjusting your activity levels during air pollution events

4. What is the AQHI? Also provide advice on how you can improve the quality of the air you breathe –especially in urban areas Uses a scale of 1 to 10+ (similar to the UV index) Implemented across Canada

5. What is the AQHI? Provides current air quality conditions 12345678910+ Air Quality Health Index Red Deer Risk:Low ModerateHigh Very High (1 - 3) (4 - 6)(7 - 10) (Above 10) Current Observed at 1:00 PM MDT Tuesday 19 April 2011 At-Risk Population Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Find out if you are at risk. General Population Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. 2 Low Risk www.airhealth.ca

6. What is the AQHI? Provides an air quality forecast www.airhealth.ca Forecast Maximums Issued at 4:00 AM MDT Tuesday 19 April 2011 5 Moderate Risk 2 Low Risk 2 Low Risk TuesdayTuesday NightWednesday Health Message Who is at risk? People with heart and lung conditions are most affected by air pollution. To find out if you are at risk, consult the health guide, your physician, or your local health authority. Visit the national AQHI Web site to learn more about the AQHI. Did you know…? To reduce air pollution, you should limit the use of small gas-powered machines such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and snow-blowers.

7. Standard AQHI Messaging Health RiskAir Quality Health Index Health Message At-Risk Population* General Population Low Risk1 – 3 Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. Moderate Risk 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 Risk7 – 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 Risk 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.

8. What improvements are being made for Alberta? Better account for rapidly changing air quality (e.g. forest fire smoke) –The AQHI value will change when there is an exceedance of an Alberta air quality objective Because of our energy-based economy, more pollutants need to be included –Sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, total reduced sulphur Contain special community-based messaging for odours and visibility

9. The National AQHI Based a three hour rolling average of ozone, fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide AQHI=1000/10.4*(EXP(0.000871*NO 2 )-1 +EXP(0.000537*O 3 )-1 +EXP(0.000487*PM 2.5 )-1))

10. “Trumping” the AQHI If Alberta’s one-hour Ambient Air Quality Objectives are exceeded: –the AQHI value will be replaced with the a value of 7 or greater and air quality will be rated as High Risk –The AQHI will respond quicker to rapidly changing air quality forest fire smoke (high PM) smog events (high ozone)

11. Messaging for Odour and Visibility This additional messaging will be added if: –the AQHI is Low or Moderate Risk; and –the levels of pollutants exceed odour or visibility thresholds Community level messaging will be issued during visibility and major odour events While you may detect an odour or change in visibility or clarity, enjoy your outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms.

12. Implementation in Alberta AQHI is reported at 22 communities as of July 4, 2011 Environment Canada is forecasting the AQHI at 5 locations –Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Fort McMurray and Fort McKay Other areas of Alberta will have a forecast later in the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012

13. Fort McKay Syncrude UE1 Fort McMurray-(AV) Anzac Fort McMurray-(PM) Fort Saskatchewan Lamont Edmonton East Edmonton Central Edmonton South Genesee Tomahawk Elk Island Fort Chipewyan Cold Lake Beaverlodge Grande Prairie Hightower Ridge Red Deer Caroline Calgary Northwest Calgary Central Medicine Hat Lethbridge Calgary Region Airshed Zone Palliser Airshed Society Parkland Airshed Management Zone West Central Airshed Society Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance Fort Air Partnership Lakeland Industry and Community Association Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Peace Airshed Zone Association Legend AQHI Reporting Stations Other Ambient Stations Airsheds Wood Buffalo Stations Edmonton & Area Stations * Stations include Alberta Environment, Environment Canada, and Airshed ambient stations, but not Industry stations. Steeper Bruderheim St. Lina Alberta Stations

14. Stakeholder Involvement Quick data submission from airsheds AENV and AH&W can educate stakeholders Stakeholders can, in turn, educate local stakeholders and the public

15. Public launch – July 13

16. Advertising Advertising campaign – July/August and November: –Radio (link to radio)link to radio –Television (link to TV)link to TV –Newspapers Key Messages –Air quality affects everyone –Some people will experience a greater health impact –There are actions you can take to protect your health

20. Summary AQHI is now available to Albertans –Alberta Environment web site (www.airquality.alberta.ca)www.airquality.alberta.ca –Environment Canada web site (www.airhealth.ca)www.airhealth.ca –The Weather Network (www.theweathernetwork.com)www.theweathernetwork.com Public launch July 13 – advertising campaign The Alberta AQHI is an improved version Need stakeholder support for effective delivery Other provinces are watching Alberta’s progress AQHI Video (The Weather Network)AQHI Video Contact Bob.Myrick@gov.ab.caBob.Myrick@gov.ab.ca

21. Questions? Alberta - AQHI Development Team IM&T Stephen Curial Felix Chow William Klein IT Contractors Judy Heilman Carolyn Weiss Jonathan Stachniak Jay Skoropad Quan Yu Corey W Klemmer Marc R St Onge Communications Ogho Ikhalo Angela Balec Kevin Brown Science, Evaluation and Reporting Vernon Remesz Derek Nalder Matthew Lynch Monitoring Harry Benders Air Policy Bob Myrick Richard Sharkey Crystal Parrell Andrew Clayton Janine Ross Laura Blair Alberta Health and Wellness Merry Turtiak Karina Thomas Micky Elabdi