Location: Ministry Home > Air > Smog Alert: A municipal response guide

Smog and Your Health

Smog is a year-round issue that can affect everyone’s health. Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution than others.

Those most sensitive to smog include:

• Young children
• People who work or exercise outdoors
• The elderly
• Pregnant women
• Asthmatics
• People with heart problems
• Smokers

Resources 5099e Smog and Your Health Brochure   5194e "Smog Advisory Today": Why should I care? Even healthy kids are vulnerable.   5097e Outdoor Activities: Smog Matters. Physical exercise and smog don’t mix. Protect your health when air quality is poor.   5098e “Smog Advisory Today": Are seniors at risk? Protect yourself from the harmful effects of smog.   3700e02 Green Facts: Smog and Your Health   3958e02 Green Facts: Ontario’s Air Quality Index   4673e02 Green Facts: Ways to Reduce Your Contribution to Smog

For more information:

The Ministry of the Environment’s website www.airqualityontario.com provides current AQI readings and air quality forecasts, as well as information on what to do when a smog alert is issued.

Subscribe to the ministry’s Smog Alert Network and receive a free automatic email whenever a smog watch or smog advisory is issued and terminated.

You can get AQI readings from recorded telephone messages by dialing 1-800-387-7768 toll-free or 416-246-0411 in Toronto. To obtain AQI readings in French, dial 1-800-221-8852. Your local radio and television stations add smog watches and smog advisories to their weather forecasts.

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If you are having difficulty accessing a document, please contact the Ministry of the Environment at picemail@ene.gov.on.ca or phone the ministry's Public Information Centre at 1- 800-565-4923, in Toronto 416-325-4000 or by mail to the Ministry of the Environment, Public Information Centre, 135 St. Clair Ave. West, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON. M4V 1P5.

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