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News Release

For immediate release
July 31, 2003

Notice of Smog Advisory

Effective immediately, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment is issuing a Smog Advisory until further notice for the following forecast regions:

A Smog Advisory is issued when there is a high probability for elevated smog levels.

Hot, sunny conditions, coupled with light south to south-easterly winds blowing air pollutants from the U.S. are resulting in high smog levels over some parts of southern Ontario.

Smog is a hazy mix of pollutants made up of ground-level ozone, fine particulate matter and other pollutants. During the summer months, more-than half of Ontario’s smog-causing pollution originates in the United States. In cooler months, domestic sources can be significant contributors to the formation of fine particulate matter.

Ontario has one of Canada’s best air quality monitoring systems. The ministry issues Smog Advisory and Smog Watch notices in order to provide the people of Ontario with the information they need to protect themselves from the potential health effects of smog.

The Web site www.airqualityontario.com contains a list of “spare the air” actions (www.airqualityontario.com/science/spareair.cfm) to help combat smog and minimize its effect on sensitive populations. If you want to learn more about air quality, visit the Ministry of the Environment’s Web site at www.ene.gov.on.ca.

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Contact:
John Steele
Communications Branch
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666